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BIBLICAL   HISTOEY 


70B 


ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS, 


WITH  A  BBIEF  OUTLINE  OF  THB 


Geography  of  Palestine. 


BY 

EMANUEL   HECHT. 

BEVISED    AND    COEREOTED   BY 
DE.   S.   ADLER, 

BiBBZ  AND  PBEAOHEB  OF  THE  CONaBEGAIION  EMANU-EL.  NEW  YOBK. 


TRANSLATED     FROM    THE    GERMAN    BY 

DE.  M.  MAYEE. 
XL  EDITION. 

NEW  TOKK: 
Published  and  for  Sale  by  M.  Thalmessingeb, 

PRINTER  AND  STATIONER,  387  &  389  BROADWAY. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congresg,  in  the  year  1874,  by 

M.  THALMESSINGER,  New  Yobk, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


^^%^ 


I. 

PRIMEVAL  HISTORY  OP  THE  HUMAN  RACE 


1.    The  Creation  of  the  Woeld.     [Genesis  i.] 

There  was  a  time  when  nothing  existed  except  God 
Himself,  the  Everlasting  and  Uncreated  Being.  He 
created  everything — whatever  is  above  and  around  us — 
all  that  is  in  heaven  and  upon  earth, /rom  nothing,  merely 
through  His  will.  God  proclaimed:  "Let  there  be  I'' 
and  upon  this  command  the  whole  universe  sprang  into 
existence.  On  the  first  day,  God  said  :  "  Let  there  be 
light!"  and  there  was  light.  On  the  second  day,  God 
created  the  heaven,  the  blue  expanse  above  us.  On  the 
third  day,  God  caused  the  dry  land  to  appear,  and  made 
the  ocean,  the  fountains,  the  brooks  and  rivers,  and  the 
flowers,  grasses,  and  herbs.  On  the  fourth  day  God  cre- 
ated the  sun,  the  moon,  and  \iihe  stars.  On  the  fifth  day, 
His  creative  power  produced  the  fishes  in  the  water,  and 
the  birds  in  the  air.  On  the  sixth  day,  God  created  the 
creeping  animals,  cattle,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field;  and  at 
last,  when  the  universe  had  been  finished  in  its  beauty 
and  wise  order,  He  created  man,  after  His  own  image, 
and  thus  made  him  the  master-piece  among  all  created 
beings  on  earth.* 

♦The  following  verses  may  assist  the  memory  of  the   pupils  in 
studying  the  history  of  the  Creation : 

The  first  creation-day  God  said  :  "Let  there  be  light! " 

The  second  did  behold  the  vault  of  heaven  bright ; 

The  third,  He  made  the  brooks,  trees,  ocean,  flowers  fair. 


^573180 


4  BIBLICAL    HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELTTISn    SCUOOIJS. 

God  made  man  in  the  following  manner.  He  formed  a 
beautiful  human  body  of  dust  from  the  ground.  But  this 
body  was  yet  without  motion  and  life.  He,  therefore, 
breathed  the  breath  of  life,  a  spirit  from  His  own  spirit 
into  it.  And  thus  the  first  man,  who  received  the  name 
of  Adam,  meaning:  Man  of  Earth,  sprang  into  existence. 
And  God  said:  "It  is  not  good  that  the  man  should  be 
alone :  I  will  make  him  a  help  suitable  for  him."  A  deep 
sleep  fell  upon  Adam,  and  God  took  one  of  his  ribs,  while 
he  was  asleep,  and  formed  it  into  a  woman,  and  Adam 
called  her  JEve,  (nnnO  ^^^^  is,  Mother  of  all  Living.  These 
first  human  beings  are  our  progenitors,  and  the  progenitors 
of  all  men.  On  the  seventh  day,  God  rested  from  all  His 
works,  that  is  to  say,  He  ceased  from  creating — and  com- 
manded that  we  also  should  rest  from  all  our  laboi*s,  on 
the  Sabbath,  remember  God  and  His  creation,  and  offer 
ap  to  him  our  thanksgivings,  for  His  love  and  goodness. 


§  2.  The  First  Sin.     [Genesis  ii.  Ill] 

God  planted  a  pleasant  garden,  called  Gan  Eden,  or 
Paradise,  and  appointed  it  to  be  the  dwelling  place  of 
Adam  and  Eve.  In  this  garden  there  stood  all  kinds  of 
fruit-trees,  pleasant  to  the  sight  and  good  for  food.  And 
God  commanded  the  man,  saying :  '*  Of  every  tree  of  the 
garden  thou  mayest  eat ;  but  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge 
of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it ;  for  as  soon  as 
thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  die."  God  did  not  intend, 
by  this  prohibition,  to  mar  the  joys  of  our  first  parents, 
but  willed  only  that  they  should  always  be  obedient  to 
Him,  believe  in  His  word,  follow  His  commands,  and  love 
Him  above  all  things.  But  they  soon  transgressed  the 
command   of  God,    and   sinned.     This  happened  in   the 

The  fourth  He  bade  the  sun,  and  moon,  and  stars  appear ; 

The  fishes  on  the  fijlhy  and  birds  began  to  be, 

And  on  the  tiath,  the  world  the  beasts  and  man  did  sea 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  6 

following  manner.  Once  Eve  approached  the  tree  of  the 
forbidden  fruit.  On  the  tree  there  was  a  serpent,  that 
addressed  her  tlms :  ''  Do  not  believe  that  you  must  die  as 
soon  as  you  have  eaten  of  the  fruit. of  this  tree;  do  but 
eat,  and  you  will  then  become  wise,  and  be  able  to  know 
good  from  evil,  and  be  like  unto  God  Himself"  Eve 
believed  more  in  the  tempting  words  of  the  serpent  than 
the  command  of  God.  She  now  contemplated  the  fruit  of 
the  tree  still  more  attentively,  and  observed  that  it  was 
good  for  food  and  pleasant  to  the  eyes.  Her  desire  to 
taste  of  it  grew  stronger  within  her  heart.  She  took  of 
it,  did  eat,  and  gave  also  to  her  husband,  and  he  also  did 
eat.  And  thus  the  first  sin  was  committed.  But  their  sin 
of  disobedience  was  soon  followed  by  punishment.  Their 
eyes  were  opened,  they  now  knew  that  they  had  done 
wrong,  and  were  able  to  discern  the  evil  from  the  good 
which  they  could  have  fulfilled.  They  felt  profound  grief 
in  their  hearts,  on  account  of  their  sin ;  they  were  ashamed, 
became  afraid,  and  hid  themselves  from  the  face  of  God. 
But  God,  who  sees,  hears,  and  knows  everything,  per- 
ceived also  their  sin,  and  said:  *' Adam,  where  art  thonf 
And  Adam  ansv/cred :  ''I  heard  Thy  voice,  and  I  was 
afraid  because  I  was  naked,  and  therefore  I  hid  myself.'' 
And  God  said:  "Who  told  thee  that  thou  art  naked? 
Hast  thou  eaten  of  the  fruit  whereof  I  commanded  thee 
that  thou  shouldest  not  eat?"  Whereupon  Adam  said: 
*'The  woman  whom  Thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  gave  me 
of  the  fruit,  and  I  did  eat."  And  God  said:  ''Eve,  why 
hast  thou  done  thisf'  And  she  answered:  *'The  serpent 
beguiled  me,  and  I  did  eat."  Then  God  said  unto  the 
serpent:  *' Because  thou  hast  beguiled  the  weak  woman 
by  sneaJcing  hypocrisy,  thou  shalt  be  cursed  above  all 
cattle,  and  above  every  beast  of  the  field;  upon  thy  belly 
shalt  thou  creep,  and  dust  shalt  thou  eat  all  the  days  of 
thy  life."  Unto  Eve  He  said:  '*  Because  thou  hast  obeyed 
the  serpent  rather  than  the  word  of  God,  obedience  shall 
henceforth  be  thy  lot.  Thy  husband  shall  rule  over  thee, 
and  in  sorrow  shalt  thou  train  children."  And  unto  Adam 
he  said :  ''  Since  thou  hast  suffered  pleasures  of  the  senses 
to  mislead  thee,  thy  earthly  enjoyments  shall  henceforth 
cause  thee  trouble.     With  great  labor  shalt  thou  till  the 


6  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   IbKAELlTISH    SCHOuLb. 

gi'Oiind,  and  in  tlie  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  thy 
bread,  until  thou  slialt  return  unto  the  ground  whence 
thou  wast  tiiken ;  for  dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt 
thou  return." 

God  then  drove  them  from  Paradise,  and  placed  the 
cherubim  with  the  flaming  sword  at  the  east  of  the  gai'dea 
to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life. 


§  3.  Cain  and  Abel.     [Genesis  iv.] 

{Kayin  and  Hahel.) 

Adam  and  Eve  had  two  sons ;  the  elder  was  named 
Cain,  (Kayin,)  the  younger  Ahel,  (Habel).  Cain  was  a 
tiller  of  the  ground,  and  Abel  a  keeper  of  sheep ;  the 
former  was  of  a  haughty  disposition,  while  the  latter  was 
meek  and  pious.  Now,  both  oflered  sacrifices  before 
God;  Cain  oflered  of  the  fruit  of  the  ground,  and  Abel 
the  best  of  his  flock.  When  Cain  saw  that  God's  blessing 
rested  upon  his  brother,  and  that  his  oflering  was  favorably 
accepted,  he  became  exceedingly  wroth,  so  that  his  inward 
anger  was  very  manifest  And  God  said  to  Cain  :  "Why 
is  thy  countenance  fallen  t  Behold  if  thou  art  pious,  thou 
also  shalt  be  accepted;  and  if  thou  art  not  pious,  sin 
lurketh  before  thy  door,  and  unto  thee  is  its  desire,  but 
thou  canst  conquer  it."  But  Cain  paid  no  attention  to 
God's  patenial  admonition ;  his  heart  hardened  more  and 
more,  and  he  said  once  to  his  brother:  "Come,  let  us  go 
into  the  field.'*  When  they  were  far  away  from  their 
home  and  parents,  the  revengeful  Cain  rose  up  against 
his  brother,  and  slew  him.  But  severe  were  the  pangs  of 
conscience  within  Cain's  bosom  after  he  liad  perpetrated 
the  atrocious  fratricide ;  he  enjoyed  neither  rest  nor  ease. 
And  God  said  unto  him:  "Where  is  Abel,  thy  brother*?" 
Cain  answered:  "I  know  not!  Am  I  my  brother's 
keeper?"  But  God  said:  "What  hast  thou  done?  The 
voice  of  thy  brother's  blood  crieth  unto  me  from  the 
ground.  Ciu'sed  be  for  thee,  therefore,  the  ground  which 
bath  opeued  its  mouth   to  receive  thy  brother'^  blood  \  as 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  7 

a  fugitive  and  vagabond  shalt  thou  wander  about  upon 
earth,  and  nowhere  find  rest  and  repose."  Then  said 
Cain  unto  the  Eternal:  "My  guilt  is  too  heavy  for  me  to 
bear.  Behold,  Thou  hast  driven  me  away  this  day  from 
this  ground,  and  from  Thy  face  must  I  hide  myself;  a 
fugitive  I  must  be  upon  the  earth,  and  every  one  that 
finds  me  shall  slay  me."  But  God  said:  "Whosoever 
slays  Cain,  vengeance  shall  be  taken  on  him  sevenfold." 
The  conscience-stricken  Cain  then  removed  from  the  land 
which  he  had  defiled  with  his  brother's  blood,  and  fled  to 
the  country  of  Nod,  on  the  east  of  Eden.  Such  was  tho 
realization  of  the  joy  and  comfort  which  the  poor  parents 
of  Cain  and  Abel  had  hoped  to  receive  at  the  hands  of 
their  children.  But  God  had  compassion  upon  Adam  and 
Eve,  and  gave  them  another  son,  who  was  named  Sheth, 
At  the  time  of  JEnosh^  the  son  of  Sheth,  men  began  to  call 
upon  God,  and  Enochs  a  later  descendant  of  Sheth's  led  a 
pious,  godly  life,  and  God  took  him  soon  to  Himself.  All 
men  reached,  at  those  early  times,  a  very  old  age; 
Methushelah,  the  length  of  whose  life  exceeded  that  of  all 
other  men,  lived  969  years.  His  son  was  LemecK  and 
the  son  of  the  latter,  Noah. 


%  4.  Noah.     [Genesis  vl]     1656  A.M. 

Men  gradually  multiplied  upon  the  face  of  the  earth ; 
but  they  grew  more  and  more  corrupt,  and  committed 
many  godless  deeds.  Even  the  descendants  of  the  pious 
were  led  away  from  the  path  of  virtue  by  the  examples  of 
the  wicked.  They  married  the  daughters  of  the  latter, 
and  soon  became,  like  these,  corrupt  and  godless.  But 
few  believed  that  there  was  a  God  in  heaven  who  saw  and 
knew  every  thing.  Noah  and  his  wife  alone  remained 
pious,  and  would  not  suffer  themselves  to  be  led  astray 
by  their  wicked  fellow-men.  They  guarded  their  children 
also — as  is  the  duty  of  good  parents — against  the  evil 
influence  and  corruption  of  their  age,  as  much  as  it  lay  in 
their  power. 


8  BIBLICAL    HISTORY    FOB   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

And  God  said  to  Noah  :  "The  end  of  all  flesh  is  corae 
before  me,  for  the  earth  is  full  of  violence  But  thou,  go 
and  make  thee  an  ark,  300  cubits  long,  50  broad,  and  30 
high.  For  behold,  I  shall  bring  a  flood  of  waters  upon 
the  eaith,  to  destroy  all  flesh,  wherein  is  the  breath  of 
life.  Every  thing  that  is  on  earth  shall  die.  But  with 
thee  I  will  establish  my  covenant ;  and  thou  shalt  come 
into  the  ark,  thou  and  thy  sons,  Sem^  Ilam.^  and  Japhety 
and  thy  wife,  and  thy  sons*  wives  w^ith  thee.  Take  with 
thee  also  provisions  of  food,  and  of  all  sorts  of  animals  that 
can  not  exist  in  water ;  of  every  clean  beast  thou  shalt 
take  with  thee  seven  pair,  and  of  beasts  that  are  not  clean 
take  one  pair,  to  keep  seed  alive  upon  the  earth  after  the 
flood."  And  Noah  did  as  God  had  commanded  him. 
Hereupon  all  the  fountains  of  the  earth  opened,  and  rain 
poured  down  from  heaven  forty  days  and  foity  nights. 
The  waters  increased  more  and  more,  and  became  at  last 
BO  high,  that  even  the  tops  of  the  highest  mountains  were 
covered.  All  living  creatures  were  destroyed,  man,  cattle, 
birds,  and  creeping  animals;  only  Noah  and  they  that 
were  with  him  in  tlie  aik,  were  saved  alive. 


S  5.  Noah's  Departure  from  the  Ark. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  days  the  waters  prevailed  upon 
the  earth.  And  God  remembered  Noah,  and  every  living 
being,  and  the  cattle  that  dwelt  with  him  in  the  ark,  and 
caused  a  wind  to  pass  over  the  earth,  that  the  waters  of 
the  deep  and  the  windows  of  heaven  were  stopped ;  the 
rain  ceased,  the  waters  subsided,  and  the  ark  rested  upon 
the  mountain  Ararat^  and  the  tops  of  the  mountains 
gradually  rose  again  above  the  waters. 

Noah,  after  some  time,  opened  a  window  of  the  ark  and 
sent  forth  a  raven,  to  see  whether  the  water  had  sufficiently 
fallen  or  not.  But  the  raven,  having  no  doubt  found  food 
upon  the  mountain,  flew  to  and  fro,  and  then  never 
returned.  After  some  time,  Noah  sent  forth  a  dove,  which 
returned  to  the  ark,  because  it  could  find  no  place  to  rest 
upon  ou  account  of  the  waters  that  were  still  on  the  ejuib. 


BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  9 

After  waiting  seven  days,  he  sent  forth  the  dove  a  second 
time.  Toward  evening  she  returned  again,  but  this  time 
with  an  olive  leaf  in  her  mouth,  by  which  joyful  token  Noah 
perceived  that  the  waters  had  abated,  But  he  waited 
seven  more  days,  after  the  lapse  of  which  he  sent  forth  the 
dove  for  the  third  time.  But  she  returned  no  more,  so  that 
Noah  knew  that  the  waters  were  dried  from  the  earth. 

Now  God  said  unto  Noah :  "  Go  forth  from  the  ark, 
thou,  and  thy  wife,  and  thy  sons,  and  the  wives  of  thy 
sons,  with  thee,  and  all  living  creatures."  And  Noah 
went  forth  from  the  ark,  together  with  all  living  beings. 
The  first  thing  which  he  then  did,  was  to  thank  God  for 
his  deliverance.  He  built  an  altar,  and,  according  to  the 
custom  of  his  time,  oifered  a  sacrifice  upon  it.  This  act 
of  gratitude  pleased  God  so  much,  that  He  said :  "  I  will 
not  again  curse  the  earth  any  more  for  man's  sake,  although 
the  imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil  from  his  youth; 
neither  will  I  smite  any  more  every  thing  living  as  I  have 
now  done."  And  He  blessed  Noah  and  his  sons,  and  said 
unto  them :  "  Behold,  I  establish  my  covenant  with  you, 
and  with  your  descendants  ;  I  shall  not  again  send  a  flood 
upon  the  earth,  nor  shall  the  order  of  the  universe  be 
disturbed  any  more.  While  the  earth  remains,  seed-time 
and  harvest,  and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter, 
and  day  and  night  shall  not  cease."  At  this  moment, 
when  Noah  raised  his  eyes  towards  the  sky,  he  beheld  a 
rainbow  with  its  soft  brightness  and  majesty  in  the  clouds. 
And  God  said :  ''  This  rainbow  shall  be  for  a  token  and 
pledge  of  my  covenant,  and  of  my  mercy  wherewith  I  look 
down  upon  the  earth.  But  follow  ye  also  my  command- 
ments ;  ye  may  rule  over  all  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and 
every  moving  thing  that  liveth  shall  be  meat  for  you ;  but 
ye  shall  not  eat  the  flesh  thereof  as  long  as  there  is  life  in 
it.  Whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood 
be  shed  ;  for  in  the  image  of  God  made  He  man.  But  ye, 
be  ye  fruitful  and  multiply." 

Noah  again  tilled  the  ground,  and  discovered  the  vine, 
and  improved  and  cultivated  it.  But  not  knowing  the 
great  power  of  wine,  he  drank  too  much  of  it,  became 
intoxicated,  and  lay  uncovered  in  his  tent.     How  heinous  a 


10  BIBLTOAX  HISTOBT   FOR  ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS. 

vice  IS  dirimkenness  !  His  son  Ham  saw  him,  and  laughed 
at  him  scornfully.  But  his  other  two  sons,  Sem  and 
Japhet,  who  were  more  respectful  children,  covered  him 
in  a  most  delicate  manner.  When  Noah  awoke  and  heard 
of  the  rude  conduct  of  Ham,  he  punished  him,  but  blessed 
and  praised  Sem  and  Japhet,  and  appointed  them  to  rule 
over  their  unfeeling  brother.  God  also  punished  Ham 
and  blessed  his  brothers. 


S  6.  The  Descendants  op  Noah.     [Genesis  x.  xi.] 

The  sons  of  Noah  now  became  the  progenitors  of  the 
human  race.  The  number  of  their  descendants  gradually 
increased ;  but  the  more  they  multiplied,  tlie  more  extensive 
pastures  they  required  for  their  flocks,  and  the  more  room 
for  themselves;  so  that  they  were  compelled  to  separate 
from  each  other.  Now,  as  this  was  not  agreeable  to  them, 
they  resolved  to  build  a  tower  that  should  reach  to  heaven, 
in  order  that  it  might  be  visii>le  to  all,  and  serve  them  for 
a  place  from  which  they  could  be  speedily  called  together, 
whenever  it  was  necessary.  They  immediately  set  to 
work,  burned  bricks  and  prepared  mortar,  and  began  the 
building ;  but  forgot  God,  without  whose  blessing  nothing 
can  be  accomplished.  On  this  account,  God  scattered  and 
dispersed  them,  that  in  consequence  at  last,  they  could 
not  understand  each  other's  speech.  The  place  where  they 
intended  to  erect  the  tower,  received  in  memory  of  this 
event,  the  name  of  Babel  {confusion.)  They  were  com- 
pelled to  desist  from  their  work,  and  spread  over  the 
earth.  There  are  every  where  good  and  beautiful  things 
ordained  by  Divine  Providence  to  be  enjoyed  by  man. 
For  this  reason  the  human  race  was  scattered,  that  they 
should  behold  every  wiiere  the  glorious  works  of  God, 
and  employ  them  for  their  own  purposea.  But  whatever 
He  wills,  man  can  not  change. 


BIBUOAL  HISTOBT  FOB  ISBA.ELITISU  SCHOOLS.  11 


IL 
THE  PATRIAECHS. 


J  7     Abraham,   The    Pkogenitor  oir  thtc  Israelitish 
Nation      [Genesis  xii  ]     2000  A.M 

Terah^  one  of  Shem\s  descendants,  lived  in  Ur  of  the 
Chcddees,  and  had  three  sons,  Abram,  JVahor,  and  liar  an. 
After  the  death  of  Haran,  Terah  took  his  sons,  JVahor  and 
Abram,  Sarai,  the  wife  of  the  latter,  and  J^ot,  the  son  of 
Haran,  and  moved  to  the  city  of  Haran,  in  the  land  of 
Mesopotamia,  and  made  it  his  dwelling-place.  Terah  and 
his  family,  like  all  their  countrymen,  did  not  know  the 
true  God;  instead  of  worshipping  Him,  they  worshipped 
the  sun,  moon  and  stars,  images  and  animals.  Vt\\%  Abram 
knew  how  foolish  and  wrong  it  was  to  pay  that  adoration 
to  created  beings,  which  we  owe  to  God  alone.  He  there- 
fore placed  his  entire  confidence  in  God  alone,  and  mani- 
fested true  piety,  while  all  his  fellow-men,  in  his  time, 
were  more  or  less  wicked.  On  this  account,  God  looked 
with  special  favor  upon  him,  and  cared  for  him  with  true 
paternal  kindness ;  nay.  He  even  conversed  with  him  very 
often  to  make  known  His  holy  will  to  him.  Once  God 
Baid  to  Abram:  "Get  thee  out  of  thy  country,  and  from 
tLy  father's  house,  and  from  thy  kindred,  unto  a  land 
which  I  will  show  thee.  And  I  will  make  of  thee  a  great 
and  distinguished  nation,  and  through  thee  shall  all  the 
generations  of  the  earth  be  blessed.''  At  first,  this  promise 
did  not  appear  to  be  followed  by  its  fulfilment ;  for  Abram 
had  no  children.  Yet  Abram  knew  that  whatever  God 
promised  would  be  fulfilled.  Therefore,  he  firmly  believed 
in  the  word  of  God,  left  all  those  that  were  dear  and  near 
to  him,  and  went  with  his  wife  Sarai  and  his  nephew  Lot 
to  the  land  of  Canaan.     When  he  reached   the  city  of 


li  BIBLICAL  BISTORT   FOB   ISBAEIJTISH    SCHOOUS. 

JSichem,  the  Lord  appeared  to  him  and  promised  that  his 
descendants  should  possess  this  land,  Abrara  continued 
his  pastoral  life,  moved  about  in  the  countiy,  built  altars 
unto  the  Lord  in  various  places,  and  proclaimed,  wherever 
he  sojourned,  the  name  of  the  Almighty. 


S  8.     AsBAJf   SHOWING  HIS   PeACEFUT.  DISPOSITION   AND   HIB 

Generosity.     [Genesis  xiii.  xiv.] 

Abram  grew  very  rich  in  cattle,  in  silver,  and  in  gold. 
And  Lot  also,  who  went  with  Abram,  had  flocks,  and 
herds,  and  tents.  They  themselves  lived  in  peace,  as  it 
becomes  relatives,  but  their  herdmen  began  to  quarrel. 
Abram  therefore  said  to  Lot :  '*  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I 
pray  thee,  between  me  and  thee,  and  between  my  herdmen 
and  thy  herdmen,  for  we  are  brethren!  Let  us  rather 
separate ;  choOse  thou  whither  thou  wishest  to  move,  and 
I  will  be  satisfied.  If  thou  wilt  take  the  left  hand,  then  I 
will  go  to  the  right ,  or  if  thou  depart  to  the  right  hand, 
then  I  will  go  to  the  left."  Lot  chose  the  region  of  Sodom, 
and  removed  there :  but  Abram  remained  in  the  land  of 
Canaan.  It  is  true,  the  country  which  Lot  chose  for  him- 
self was  beautiful  and  fertile,  but  its  inhabitants  were  very 
wicked ;  therefore,  his  selection  was  not  a  good  one.  Be- 
sides, a  war  soon  broke  out  in  that  country.  Ghador- 
laomer^  king  of  Elam,  together  with  some  other  kings, 
with  whom  he  had  concluded  an  alliance,  defeated  the 
king  of  Sodom,  plundered  the  city  and  the  country  around, 
and  took  men,  and  beasts,  and  all  their  substance  with 
them,  as  booty.  They  took  also  Lot,  and  his  goods,  and 
departed.  When  Abram  heard  this,  he  armed  his  servants, 
three  hundred  and  eighteen  in  number,  pursued  the  con- 
querors, took  them  by  sui-prise  by  night,  defeated  them, 
delivered  Lot,  the  women,  and  the  people  from  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  and  brought  back  all  the  goods.  On  his 
return,  Melchizedek  ^who  was  a  priest  of  the  Mo^t  High), 
went  forth  to  meet  him,  and  brought  bread  and  wine,  and 
said :  "  Blessed  be  thou,  Abram,  of  the  most  high  God, 
X)ossessor  of  heaven  and  earth ;   and  blessed  be  the  most 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  13 

'high  God,  who  has  delivered  thy  enemies  into  thy  hands.'* 
Abram  gave  him  tithes  of  all.  Also  the  king  of  Sodom 
came,  and  said  to  Abram :  "  Give  me  only  the  persons, 
and  the  goods  take  to  thyself*  Then  answered  Abram: 
^'  I  have  lifted  up  my  hand  (for  an  oath)  unto  the  Eternal, 
the  most  high  God,  the  possessor  of  heaven  and  earth, 
that  I  will  not  take  even  a  thread  or  a  shoe-latchet,  of  all 
that  is  thine,  lest  thou  shouldest  say,  I  have  made  Abram 
rich.  Only  that  which  the  servants  have  eaten,  and  the 
portion  of  the  men  which  went  with  me,  Aner,  Eshcol  and 
Mamre,  let  them  take  their  portion." 
Thus  acts  a  generous  man. 


§  9     Abraham,  the  Man  of  Patth.     [Genesis  xv.  xvi.J 

Abram  was  still  without  children,  when  God  appeared 
to  him  and  said :  "  Fear  not,  Abram,  I  am  thy  shield,  and 
exceedingly  great  shall  be  thy  reward."  And  Abram 
answered:  ''Lord!  for  what  purpose  wilt  thou  give  me^ 
seeing  that  I  have  no  children,  and  that  strangers  shall  be 
my  hell's  f  Hereupon  God  brought  him  forth  abroad, 
and  said :  "  Look  toward  heaven ;  numberless  as  the  stars 
shall  be  thy  posterity."  And  Abram  believed  God,  and 
He  counted  it  to  him  for  righteousness. 

On  the  same  day,  God  made  a  covenant  with  Abram, 
that  his  posterity  should  inherit  the  land  of  Canaan. 

Shortly  afterwards,  Hager  bore  a  child  unto  Abram, 
when  he  was  eighty-six  years  of  age ;  and  Abram  called 
his  son  Ishmael. 

When  Abram  was  ninety-nine  years  old,  God  appeared 
again  unto  him,  and  said :  "  I  am  God,  the  Almighty ; 
walk  before  me,  and  be  thou  pious."  When  Abram  heard 
these  words  he  fell  on  his  face,  and  God  continued,  saying : 
"  Behold !  thou  shalt  be  the  father  of  many  nations,  and 
kings  shall  be  among  thy  descendants.  Therefore,  thy 
name  shall  no  longer  be  called  Abram,  but  it  shall  hence- 
forth be  Abraham,  (that  is,  father  of  a  great  multitude,) 


14  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   I3RAKLITISH    SCHOOLS. 

Sarai  shall  bear  thee  a  son,  and  thou  shalt  no  longer  call 
her  Sarai,  but  Sarah  shall  her  name  be.  Then  Abraham 
fell  upon  his  face,  and  laughed  for  joy,  and  said  within  his 
heart :  "  Shall  a  child  be  born  unto  him  thai  is  a  hundred 
years  old?  and  shall  Sarah,  who  is  ninety  years  old,  heart 
Oh  I  that  Ishmael  might  live  before  Thee!"  And  God 
said  :  **  Surely  thy  wile  Sarah  shall  bear  thee  a  son  indeed ; 
and  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Isaac,  (son  of  jot/,)  and  with 
him  and  his  posterity  I  shall  establish  my  covenant.  And 
concerning  Ishmael  also,  I  have  heard  thee ;  I  shall  bless 
him  and  make  him  a  great  nation." 


§  10.     Abraham,  the   Hospftable    and   Compassionatb 
Patrurch.     [Genesis  xviiL] 

One  day,  Abraham  sat  in  the  tent-door,  in  the  heat  of 
the  day,  and  saw  three  strangers  in  the  street.  As  soon 
as  he  observed  them,  he  ran  to  meet  them,  bowed  before 
them  to  the  ground,  and  addressed  one  of  them,  saying: 
'*  My  Lord,  if  I  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight,  pass  noi 
away,  I  pray  thee,  from  thy  servant  Let  a  little  water, 
I  jiray  you,  be  brought,  and  wash  your  feet.  Then  ye 
may  rest  under  yonder  tree,  until  I  shall  bring  a  morsel 
of  bread;  and  when  ye  shall  have  refreshed  yourselves, 
ye  may  pass  on  your  way."  The  strangers  consented, 
and  Abraham  hastened  into  his  tent,  and  said  to  Sarah : 
*' Quickly  bake  some  cakes."  Then  he  ran  to  the  herd, 
selected  the  finest  calf,  gave  it  to  a  young  man  that  he 
might  dress  it,  took  butter  and  milk,  set  the  dishes  before 
his  guests,  and  remained  with  them  under  the  tree  while 
tliey  were  eating.  One  of  the  strangers  asked  him: 
*' Where  is  Sarah  thy  wifet  Abraham  answered:  "She 
is  in  the  tent"  And  the  stranger  continued,  saying: 
"  One  year  hence,  at  this  time,  I  shall  return,  and  Sarah, 
thy  wife,  shall  then  have  a  son."  Saiah,  overhearinc:  these 
words,  doubted  their  truth,  and  smiled  secretly.  But  the 
stranger  said:  "Is  anything  impossible  for  God*?  Thou 
shalt  indeed  have  a  son."  When  the  three  men  had  finished 
their  meal,  they   rose,   and   wended  their   way  towai'dfi 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  15 

So(lom ;  and  Abraham  went  with  them  to  bring  them  on 
the  way. 

Then  God  said  in  His  heart:  "  How  could  I  hide  aught 
from  Abraham  that  I  shall  do  ?     For  I  know  that  he  will 
command  his  children,  and  his  household  after  him,  to  do 
what  is  right  and  good."  "  Know  then,"  said  God  to  Abra- 
ham, "  that  I  shall   destroy  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  on  ac- 
count of  their  great  and  manifold  sins."     This  information 
caused  profound   grief  in  the  bosom  of  the  kind-hearted 
and  compassionate   Abraham.      He   could  not  forbear  to 
plead  the  cause   of   the  condemned  cities  before    God. 
"  Wilt  Thou  also  destroy  the  righteous  with  the  wicked  V* 
he  asked  God.     ''Perhaps  there  are  fifty  righteous  within 
the  city :  wilt  Thou  also  destroy  and  not  spare  the  place 
for   the   fifty   righteous   that   are   therein?    Oh!  be  it  far 
from  Thee  to  do  after  this  manner,  to  slay  the  righteous 
with  the  wicked,  and  that  the  righteous  should  be  as  the 
wicked  in  Thine  eyes.    Thou  canst  not  judge  thus,  who  art 
the  Judge  of  all  the  earth."     God  answered:   "If  I  find 
in  Sodom  fifty  righteous  within  the  city,  then  I  will  spare 
the  place  for  their   sakes."     Abraham   continued  to  plead 
for  the  doomed  cities,  and  said :   "Behold  now,  I  have  taken 
upon  me  to  speak  unto  my  Lord,  although  I  am  but  dust 
and   ashes.      Perhaps   there    shall  lack  five  of  the  fifty 
righteous."     And  God  said :   "  If  I  find   there  forty  and 
jfive,  the  place   shall  not  be   destroyed."     Abraham   con- 
tinued,   saying:    "Perhaps  there  are   but  forty  righteous 
in  the   city."     Whereupon  God  answered:    "I  will   not 
destroy   it   for  the   forty's   sake."     Abraham   then   said : 
''Oh!  be   not   angry  my  Lord,  that  I   still    continue   to 
epeak :  perad venture   there  shall  thirty   be  found   there." 
And  God  answered:   "  I  will  spare  the  city,  if  I  find  thirty 
there."     Abraham  continued:   '•  Perad  venture  there  shall 
be  twenty  found   there."      And   God   said:   "I   will   not 
destroy  it   for  twenty's  sake."     Abraham  answered  once 
more;   "O  Lord!  be  not  angry,  and  I  will  speak  yet   but 
this  once.     Perad  venture  ten  shall  be  found  there."     And 
God  said:   "I  will  not  destroy  it  for  the  ten's  sake."   Now 
Abraham  continued  no  longer,  but  returned  to  his  dwell- 
ing-place. 


ic  biblical  history  for  israelitis7t  schools. 

§   11.      The    Destruction    of    Sodom    and   Gomorrah. 
[Genesis  xix.] 

Lot  sat  in  the  gate  of  the  city,  when,  towards  evening, 
the  strangers  arrived  at  Sodom.  As  soon  as  he  saw  them, 
ho  went  to  meet  them,  greeted  them,  and  addressed  them 
with  the  following  words:  ** Behold  now,  my  lords,  turn 
in,  I  pray  you,  into  your  servant's  house,  and  tarry  all 
night."  After  many  urgent  requests  on  his  part,  they 
yielded  and  went  into  his  house,  where  he  made  them  a 
feast.  No  sooner  had  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  heard 
that  strangers  had  arrived,  than  they  gathered  together  to 
insult  them.  Lot  remonstrated  with  them,  but  in  vain. 
Already  they  were  about  to  break  the  door,  when  they 
were  struck  with  blindness,  so  that  they  could  not  even 
find  the  door.  Hereupon  the  strangerg  said  to  Lot: 
"  Hasten  to  save  thyself  with  all  thy  kindred,  for  we  have 
been  sent  by  God  to  destroy  this  wicked  city.''  When 
tho  morning  arose,  and  Lot  still  lingered,  the  strangers 
laid  hold  upon  his  hand,  upon  the  hand  of  his  wife,  and 
upon  the  hand  of  his  two  daughters,  and  carried  them  out 
of  the  city.  Here  they  loft  them,  addressing  Lot  in  these 
words:  "Escape  for  thy  life;  do  not  stay  to  look  behind 
thee,  but  llee  into  the  mountain,  lest  thou  perish.  ''  Now, 
an  awful  storm  rose  above  the  cities  of  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah; they  were  destroyed  and  all  their  inhabitants 
perished.  Lot's  wife,  who,  led  by  curiosity,  had  looked 
behind  her,  against  the  orders  of  the  strangcre,  was 
changed  into  a  pillar  of  salt  On  the  following  day, 
Abraham  got  up  early  in  the  morning  to  learn  what  had 
become  of  the  doomed  cities,  when  the  rising  clouds  of 
smoke  showed  him  only  tho  place  where  they  had  stood. 
The  Dead  Sea  now  occupies  the  site  which  the  destroyed 
cities  once  occupied. 


§  12.  Abraham's  Obedience.     [Genesis  ixii.] 

God  fulfilled  his  promise,  and  gave  Abraham  a  son. 
And  Abraham  named  him  Isaac  When  Isaac  had  growa 
older,  he  was  often  mocked  by  his  brother  IshmaeL     Fof 


BliiLICAL  HISTOBr   FOK   1SKAEU.T1SU   SCHOOLS.  17 

this  reason,  Sarah  could  not  tolerate  the  latter,  and  re- 
quested Abraham  to  send  him  away  with  his  mother. 
Abraham  was  unwilling  to  comply,  but  God  commanded 
him  to  hearken  unto  Sarah  ;  whereupon  he  provided  Ish- 
mael  and  Hager  with  bread  and  water,  and  sent  them 
away.  Hager  wandered  into  the  wilderness,  and  went 
astray.  The  water  in  the  bottle  was  exhausted  before  she 
could  find  another  supply.  Ishmael  was  seized  by  the 
most  burning  thirst,  and  yet  she  could  find  no  fountain 
whence  to  satisfy  and  thus  to  save  her  son.  She  then 
placed  him  under  one  of  the  shrubs,  and  said :  "I  can  not 
see  the  child  die."  She  wept  and  prayed  to  God,  and 
God  heard  her.  An  angel  appeared,  and  showed  her  a 
well  of  water,  from  which  she  filled  her  bottle,  and  gave 
her  child  to  drink.  God  was  also  in  future  with  Ishmael, 
and  made  him  the  progenitor  of  a  great  nation,  which 
numbers  twelve  tribes,  called  the  Ishmaelites. 

After  some  time,  God  tried  Abraham,  and  said  to  him : 
"Take  now  thy  son,  thine  only  son  Isaac,  whom  thou 
lovest,  go  with  him  into  the  land  of  Moriah,  and  offer  him 
there  for  a  sacrifice  upon  one  of  the  mountains  which  I 
will  tell  thee  of."  Abraham  obeyed.  He  rose  up  early 
in  the  morning,  took  two  of  his  servants  and  his  son  Isaac 
with  him,  went  unto  the  mountain  of  which  God  had  told 
him,  built  an  altar,  laid  the  wood  on  it,  and  then  his  son, 
and  took  the  knife  to  slay  him.  But  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
called  from  heaven :  ''  Abraham !  lay  not  thy  hand  upon 
the  lad,  neither  do  thou  any  thing  unto  him:  for  now  I 
know  that  thou  fearest  God,  seeing  thou  hast  not  withheld 
thy  son,  thine  only  son,  from  me.  By  myself  have  I  sworn, 
saith  the  Eternal,  for  because  thou  hast  done  this  thing: 
that  in  blessing  I  will  bless  thee,  and  thy  posterity  shall 
be  multiplied  as  the  stars  of  the  heaven,  and  as  the  sand 
upon  the  sea-shore ;  and  thy  posterity  shall  possess  the 
gate  of  their  enemies:  and  through  thy  posterity  shall  all 
the  nations  of  the  earthhe  blessed,  because  thou  hast  obeyed 
my  voice."  Full  of  joy,  Abraham  returned  with  Isaac  to 
Beersheba^  and  dwelt  there.  Afterwards  he  moved  to 
Hebron,  where  Sarah  died  in  her  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
seventh  year.  He  wopt  and  mourned  for  her,  and  then 
buried  her  near  the  city  of  Hebron,  in  the  cave  of  Mack- 


18  BIBLICAL    HISTOKIT    FOR    LSRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

pelah,  which  he  had  bought  from  the  Hethites  for  four 
hundred  pieces  (Shekel)  of  silver,  to  make  it  the  burying- 
place  for  his  family.   This  cave  can  be  seen  even  to  this  daj. 


§   IS.      Abraham's   Paternal   Solicttude  for  his  Son 
Isaac.    [Genesis  xxiv.-icxvi.] 

When   Abraham  had   grown  old  and  well   stricken  in 
age,  he  sent   his   faithful    servant   Eliezer  to   Uaran^  to 
choose   from   his   relatives  who   lived  there,  a  wife  for  his 
son   Isaac.     Eliezer  took   ten    camels,   loaded   them  with 
various  goods,  started  upon    his  journey,    and  arrived  at 
Haran  towards  evening.     It  was  just  the   time  when  the 
women  came   out  to  draw  water  from  the  well  where  he 
stopped.     Eliezer,  who   knew   that   no  undertaking  could 
succeed  withoiit   the   help  of  God,  offered  up   his  prayer, 
saying :  "  Lord,  God  of  Abraham !    I  pray  Thee,  let  me 
find  favor  before  Thee  this  day.     Behold!  I  stand  here  by 
the  well  of  water;  and   the   daughters  of  the  men  of  the 
city  come  out  to  draw  water.     And  let  it  come  to  pass, 
that  the  damsel  to  whom  I  shall  say.  Let  down  thy  pitcher, 
I  pray  thee,  that  I  may  drink;  and  shall  say.  Drink,  and 
I  will  give  thy  camels  drink  also,  let  it  be   a  token   unto 
me  that  thou,  O  God !  hast  appointed  her  for  Thy  servant 
Isaac,  and  thereby  showest   mercy  unto   my  master."     No 
sooner  had  Eliezer  ended   his  prayer,  than  Rkbkkah,  the 
daughter    of    Bethuel,    and    granddaughUn-    of    Nahor^ 
Abraham's    brother,    came   with    her    pitcher   upon    her 
shoulder  to   draw   water.     Eliezer  ran   to  meet  her,  and 
said:   "Let  me,  I   pray  thee,   drink  a  little  water  of  thy 
pitcher."     And   she   answered:  "Drink,  ray  lord,  and  I 
will  give  thy  camels  drink  also."     Eliezer  wondered  at  the 
generosity  and  obliging  manners  of  the  maiden,  gave  her 
l^recious  rings,  and  asked  her  whose  daughter  she  was, 
and  whether  there  was  no  room   in  her  father's  house  for 
him  to  lodge  in  that  night.     Kobekah  said:    "I  am  the 
daughter  of  Bethuel    and   granddaughter  of  Nalior;    we 
have  both  straw  and  provender  enough  for  thy  camels,  and 
room  for  thee  to  lodge  iu  for  the  uight"     Eiiezei*  thanked 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  19 

God  that  He  had  shown  him  the  right  way  to  the  house 
of  his  master.  In  the  meanwhile,  Rebekah  ran  home,  and 
there  related  all  that  had  happened.  When  Lahan,  the 
brother  of  Rebekah,  saw  the  beautiful  gifts  which  his  sister 
had  received,  he  hastened  to  meet  Eliezer,  and  said  to  him : 
*'Come  in,  thou  blessed  of  the  Lord."  Eliezer  went  with 
him  to  his  home,  where  viands  were  placed  before  him. 
But  he  would  not  sit  down  to  eat,  until  he  had  ascertained 
that  Rebekah  could  go  with  him.  She,  as  well  as  her 
parents  and  brother,  consented  to  the  proposal  of  mar- 
riage ;  and  on  the  following  morning,  Rebekah  and  her 
maidens  mounted  the  camels  to  follow  Eliezer  to  Canaan, 
where  she  became  the  wife  of  Isaac. 

At  that  time,  Abraham  was  140  years  old.  He  lived 
to  a  quiet  old  age  of  175  years,  when  he  died,  and  was 
buried  by  his  sons  Isaac  and  Ishmael,  in  the  cave  of  Mach- 
pelah,  by  the  side  of  his  wife  Sarah, 


§  14.  IsAAa 

Isaac  was,  like  his  father  Abraham,  a  God-fearing,  kind- 
hearted,  just,  and  peaceful  man.  He  lived  in  Canaan,  but 
afterwards,  a  famine  visiting  the  land,  he  removed  to 
Gerar^  a  city  belonging  to  the  land  of  the  Philistines. 
Here  God  repeated  to  him  the  promise  given  to  Abraham, 
that  'Hn  his  posterity  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  should 
he  hlessed^^''  and  crowned  all  his  undertakings  with  success; 
his  herds  multiplied  greatlv,  and  he  had  many  man-serv- 
ants and  maid-servants.  He  learned  also  agriculture,  with 
which  his  father  had  not  been  acquainted,  sowed  all  kinds 
of  grain,  and  made  an  exceedingly  rich  harvest.  But  his 
wealth  roused  the  envy  of  his  neighbors,  who  caused  him 
many  and  bitter  annoyances.  They  stopped  all  the  wells 
which  Abraham  had  digged,  and  Abimelech,  the  king  of 
the  Philistines,  at  last  said  to  him:  "Go  from  us;  for 
thou  art  much  mightier  than  we."  Isaac  departed  thence, 
and  pitched  his  tent  in  the  valley  of  Gerar,  and  dwelt 
there.     But  as  soon  as  he  had  there  also  opened  the  wells 


20  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOK  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

of  water  which  his  father  had  digj^ed,  the  herdsmen  of 
Gerar  began  to  strive  with  his  herdsmen,  saying:  '*The 
water  is  ours."  Isaac  yielded,  and  digged  another  well: 
but  they  forced  him  again  to  give  it  up.  He  then  digged 
a  third  well,  for  which  they  would  no  longer  contend. 

When  Isaac,  some  time  after,  moved  to  Beersheba, 
Abimelech,  with  several  of  his  high  officers,  went  to  see 
him.  And  Isaac  said  to  them:  "  Wherefore  come  ye  to 
me,  seeing  ye  hate  me,  and  have  sent  me  away  from  you?" 
Hereupon  they  answered :  "  We  saw  certainly  that  the 
Eternal  was  with  thee ;  therefore,  we  desire  to  make  a 
covenant  with  thee,  that  thou  wilt  do  us  no  hurt,  as  we  have 
not  touched  thee,  and  as  we  have  done  unto  thee  nothing 
but  good,  and  have  sent  thee  away  in  peace."  Tlien  Isaac 
made  them  a  feast,  and  they  did  eat  and  drink.  And  they 
rose  up  betimes  in  the  morning,  and  swore  one  another 
concerning  their  covenant,  and  Isaac  accompanied  them 
upon  their  depaiture,  and  they  depaited  ^om  him  in 
peace. 

/ 

§  15.  Jacob  and  Esau.     [Genesis  zxy.  xzvL] 

Isaac  and  Rebekah  had  been  married  twenty  years, 
when  God  gave  them  twin  sons,  whom  they  called  Esau  and 
Jacob.  Esau,  the  elder-born,  was  of  a  wild  and  rough 
disposition,  but  Jacob  was  of  a  quiet  and  mild  temper. 
Esau  who  delighted  in  hunting,  was  the  favorite  of  Isaac, 
while  liebekah  loved  Jacob  more  than  her  elder  son,  be- 
cause the  former  preferred  the  quiet  seclusion  of  home  to 
the  wild  sports  of  the  field.  These  brothers  did  not  con- 
tinue for  a  long  time  to  live  in  peace  with  each  other. 
One  day  when  Esau  returned  home  from  hunting,  very 
much  fatigued,  he  found  Jacob  with  a  mess  of  pottage  just 
prepared  by  him,  and,  longing  for  it,  he  requested  his 
brother  to  give  it  to  him.  But  Jacob  said:  ** First  sell 
me  thy  birthright"  Esau  answered:  "Behold I  I  am  at 
the  point  to  die,  and  what  profit  can  this  birthright  do  to 
meV  Hereupon  he  sold  it  to  Jacob,  did  eat  and  drink, 
and  went  away.  And  thus  he  despised  the  privileges  of 
his  birthright. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOK   ISRAKLITISH   SCHOOLS.  21 

Isaac,  who  did  not  know  any  thing  of  this  transaction, 

ttt  another  time  said  to  Esau:   "Behold  I  am  old,  and  the 

day  of  my  death    cannot  be  far  distant.     Now,  therefore, 

take,  I  pray  thee,  thy  weapons,  thy  quiver  and  thy  bow, 

and  go  out  to  the  field   and  get  me  some  venison.     And 

prepare  it  well  for  me,  in  a  manner  as  I  love  it,  and  bring 

it  to  me,  that  I  may  eat,  and  then  I  will  bless  thee  before 

I  die,"     Rebekah,  who  heard  this,  and  wished  that  JTacoh 

should  receive  the  last   and  very  important  blessing  of  his 

father,  prepared  a  kid  of  the  goat's,  and  persuaded  Jacob 

to  carry   it  in  to  his  father,  and  present  himself  as  his 

brother    Esau.      After   some   hesitation,    Jacob    yielded. 

Isaac,  who  did  not  recognize  him,  as  he  was  almost  blind, 

pronounced  his  blessing  over  him.     But  no   sooner  had 

Jacob  left  his  father,  than  Esau  entered  with  the  venison 

and  asked  for  his  fathers's  benediction.    Now  the  deception 

was   discovered.      Esau  wept  for   anger,  and  exclaimed : 

"  The  supplanter  hath  deceived   me   these  two  times ;  he 

took  away  my  birthright,  and  now  he  has  taken  away  my 

father's  blessing!"      From    that  time   Esau    entertained 

deep  hatred  against  his   brother,  and  even  resolved  to  kill 

him  after  the  death  of  their  father,     Rebekah  heard   of 

Esau's  intention,  and   said   therefore   to  Jacob :  "  Flee  to 

Laban,  my  brother,  to  Haran^  and   stay   with  him  until 

thy  brother's  anger  turn  away.     Why  should  I  be  deprived 

of  you  both  in  one  day  f     She  prevailed  also  upon  Isaao 

to  let  him  go,  who  sent  him  away  with  his  blessing  and  with 

the  admonition   not  to   take   a  wife  from  the  Canaanites 

around  them,  but  go  to   the   birth-place  and  family  of  his 

mother  Rebekah.     Thus  Jacob  fled  from   his   home  and 

started  upon  his  journey  to  his  uncle  Lahan^  who  lived  in 

Jffaran. 


§  16.    Jacob's  Journey  to  Haran.      [Gen.  xxviii.  xxix.] 

Jacob  left  Beer-shoba  and  went  toward  Haran.  On  his 
way  he  was  overtaken  by  the  night,  before  he  had  reached 
an  inhabited  place.  He  took  a  stone  for  a  pillow  under 
his  head,  and  fell  asleep.     While  he  was  asleep,  he  had  a 


t2  BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR  ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS. 

bea'itifiil  dream.     He  beheld  a  ladder  set  up  on  the  earth, 
and  the  top  of  it  reached  to  heaven,  and  the  angels  of  God 
ascending  and  descending  on  it.     And  God  stood  above  it^ 
and  said :   "  I  am  the  Eternal,  the  God  of  Abraham  and  the 
God  of  Isaac ;  the   land  whereon    thou  liest,  to  thee  will  I 
give  it,  and  to  thy  posterity.     I  will  multiply  thee  to  be 
as  numerous  as  the  dust  of  the  earth,  and  thou  shall  spread 
abroad  to  the  west,  and  to  the  east,  and  to  the  north,  and 
to  the  soHth,  and  through  thee  and  through  thy  ^wsterity 
shall  all  the  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed.     Behold  l  I 
am  with  thee,  and  will  keep  thee  in  all  places  whither  thou 
goest,  and    will   bring  thee   again   into   this  land ;  and  I 
will  not  leave  thee  until  I  have  done  that  of  which  I  hare 
spoken  to  thee."     When  Jacob  awoke  from  his  sleep,  he 
said :   "  Surely  the  Eternal  is  in  this  place ;  and  I  knew  it 
not.     How  awful  is  this  place ;  it  is  nothing  but  the  house 
of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven."     He  rose  early 
in  the   morning,  took   the   stone    which  had  served   him 
for  a  pillow,  set  it  up  for  a  pillar  of  memorial,  poured  oil 
upon  it,  and   called   the   name  of  the  place  Bethel^  which 
signifies  the  House  of  God.     He  made,  at  the  same  time, 
a  vow,  saying:   **If  God   will  be  with  me,  and  will  keep 
me  in  the  way  that  I  go,  and  will  give   me  bread  to  eat 
and  raiment  to  put  on,  and  I  come  again  to  my  father's 
house  in  peace,  then  this   pillar   of  memorial  shall  become 
a  house  of  God,  and  of  all  that  Thou  shalt  give  me  I  will 
surely  give  the  tenth    unto   Thee."     Hereupon  Jacob  con- 
tinue i  his   way  towards  the  east,  and  came  to  a  well  ia 
the  field,  by  which  he  found  three  flocks  of  sheep  lying. 
He  asked  the  herdsmen:   "My  brethren,  whence  are  ye?" 
And  they  answered:   '*of  Haran   are  we."     And  he  con- 
tinued, asking:   "Do  you  know  Laban,  the  grandson  of 
Nahort"      To   whioh    they   answered:   "We   know   him 
well ;  and  behold ,  Rachel  his  daughter,  cometh  with  the 
sheep."     When   Jacob   saw   Rachel,   he   rolled   the  stone 
from  the   well's   mouth,  and  watered   her   flock,  and  wept 
aloud    for  joy.     He   told   her,  at  the   same   time,  that  he 
was  the  son  of  Rebekah,  the  sister  of  her  father.     Rachel 
ran  home  and  told  her  father.     Laban  immediately  came 
to  the  well,  embraced  and   kissed  Jacob,  brought  him  to 
his  house,  and  made  him  overseer  of  Ms  flocks. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS.  23 

§  17.  Jacob's  Sojourn  with  Laban.  [Genesis  xxix.  xxx.] 

After  the  expiration  of  a  month,  Laban  said  to  Jacob ; 
"Wilt  thou  serve  me  for  nothing;  tell  me,  what  shall 
thy  wages  bef  Jacob  answered:  *'I  will  serve  thee 
seven  years  if  thou  wilt  give  me  thy  younger  daughter 
Rachel  for  my  wife."  Laban  consented;  and  Jacob 
sei'ved  seven  years  for  Rachel ;  but  they  seemed  to  him 
only  a  few  days  for  the  ardent  love  which  he  entertained 
for  her.  But  Laban  deceived  him,  and  gave  him  his  elder 
daughter  Leah,  instead  of  Rachel  to  be  his  wife.  Jacob 
called  him  to  account  for  his  deception,  and  said:  "Why 
hast  thou  done  this  unto  me  %  Did  I  not  serve  thee  for  , 
Rachel?  Wherefore  then  hast  thou  beguiled  me.  giving 
me  Leah  instead  of  Rachel?"  Laban  answered  :  "  It  is  not 
the  custom  in  our  country  to  give  the  younger  before 
the  first-born.  Serve  me  seven  more  years  and  then  I  will 
give  thee  also  Rachel  for  thy  wife."  Jacob  did  so,  and 
Laban  gave  him  Rachel  his  daughter  to  his  wife.  Jacob 
had  the  following  twelve  sons  with  Leah,  Rachel,  Zilpah, 
and  Bill  ah:  Reuben,  Simeon,  Levi,  tTudah,  Dan,  N'aphtali, 
Gad,  Asher,  Issachar,  Zebulun,  Joseph,  and  Benjamin, 
He  had  but  one  daughter,  called  Dinah, 

After  the  birth  of  his  eleventh  son,  Joseph,  Jacob  de- 
sired to  return  to  his  own  country,  but  was  induced  by 
Laban  to  stay  longer.  Thus  he  served  Laban  most  faith- 
fully, fourteen  years  for  his  wives  and  six  more  years  for 
wages,  working  hard,  both  by  day  and  by  night,  for  his 
avaricious  father-in-law,  who  often  attempted  to  defraud 
him  of  his  wages.  But  God  blessed  him  the  more  abund- 
antly, so  that  he  had  a  multitude  of  servants,  cattle, 
camels  and  asses. 

When  Laban  saw  that  Jacob's  wealth  increased,  he 
showed  him  no  longer  the  same  friendly  countenance  as 
before,  while  his  sons,  on  their  part,  would  use  slanderous 
language  against  him.  It  was  then  that  God  said  to 
Jacob :  "  Return  unto  the  land  of  thy  fathers,  and  I  will 
be  with  thee."  Jacob  sent  and  called  Rachel  and  Leah  to 
him  into  the  field,  and  said  to  them:  I  see  that  your 
father's  countenance  is  no  more  towards   me  as  before. 


24  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISBAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

But  you  know  that  with  all  my  power  I  have  served  your 
fatlier.  And  he  has  deceived  me,  and  changed  my  wai^^es 
ten  times ;  but  God  suffered  him  not  to  hurt  me.  Aiid 
now  the  Eternal  has  said  to  me :  '  Arise,  get  thee  out  from 
this  land,  and  return  unto  the  land  of  thy  kindred.'  Are 
ye  also  willing  to  follow  God's  admonition  ?"  And  Leah 
and  Rachel  answered:  "Whatever  God  has  said  unto  thee 
do."  One  day,  when  Laban  had  gone  to  shear  his  sheep 
Jacob  secretly  departed  with  his  wives,  children,  and 
goods,  to  return  to  his  father  Isaac,  to  Canaan. 


§  18.    Jacob's  Return  to  his  Native  Countrt. 

[Genesis  xxxi.] 

Three  days  had  already  elapsed  since  the  departure  of 
Jacob  from  the  house  of  Laban,  when  the  latter  heard  of 
it,  hastened  to  pursue  him,  and  overtook  him  in  the  mount 
of  Glle(Ml.  But  God  said  to  Laban  in  a  dream  by  night : 
"  Take  heed  that  thou  speak  unto  Jacob  nothing  but 
fi'iendly  words."  Laban  proposed  a  reconciliation  with 
Jacob;  they  ate  and  drank  together,  made  a  covenant, 
and  then  separated.  Jacob  then  continued  his  journey  ia 
peace.  But  the  nearer  he  approached  his  native  country, 
the  stronger  grew  his  fears  of  Esau,  his  brother.  He 
therefore  sent  messengers  to  him,  saying:  I  have  so- 
journed with  Laban,  and  stayed  there  until  now ;  and  I 
have  oxen,  and  asses,  flocks,  and  men-servants,  and  women- 
servants,  and  I  have  sent  to  tell  thee,  that  I  may  find  grace 
in  thy  sight."  The  messengers  returned  to  Jacob,  say- 
ing :  "  We  came  to  thy  brother  Esau,  and  also  hn  cometh 
to  meet  thee,  and  four  hundred  men  with  him."  When 
Jacob  heard  this,  he  became  greatly  alarmed;  but  his 
alarm  did  not  check  his  activity  and  carefulness.  With 
great  precaution  he  arranged  the  people  that  were  with 
him,  and  his  flocks,  in  a  manner  that  would  at  least  secure 
the  safety  of  a  part  of  them,  in  case  of  an  attack  by  his 
brother.  He  then  sent  presents  to  his  brother  to  appease 
his  anger,  and  prayed  to  God  for  help,  saying :  "  O  God 
of  my  fathers,  the  Lord  who  said  unto  me,  '  Return  mito 


BIBLICAL    HISTOHi:    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  25 

thy  country  and  to  thy  kindred,  and  I  will  deal  well  with 
thee:'  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies  and 
of  all  the  truth  which  thou  hast  showed  unto  Thy  servant ; 
for  I  had  nothing  but  this  my  staff  when  I  passed  over 
this  Jordan,  and  now  I  return  with  two  camps.  Deliver 
nie,  I  pray  Thee,  from  the  hand  of  my  brother,  from  the 
hand  of  Esau:  for  I  fear  him,  lest  he  will  come  and  smite 
me,  and  the  mother  with  the  children.''  He  then  sent  the 
presents,  and  remained  that  night  near  the  brook  Jabhok, 
Early  in  the  morning,  when  the  sun  arose,  he  saw  Esau 
with  his  four  hundred  men  approach.  But  Esau,  who  had 
perceived  and  appreciated  the  exertions  of  Jacob  for  re- 
conciliation, no  sooner  beheld  his  brother  and  his  numer- 
ous company,  than  he  was  suddenly  changed,  banished  all 
anger  from  his  heart,  ran  to  meet  him,  and  embraced  him, 
and  fell  on  his  neck  and  kissed  him,  and  they  wept  for 
joy.  Esau  would  not  accept  the  proffered  gifts,  and 
yielded  only  to  the  urgent  entreaties  of  Jacob.  The  latter 
then  proceeded  to  Succoth,  where  he  remained  for  a  time, 
and  then  removed  to  Shalem  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  Here 
he  said  to  his  household,  and  to  all  who  were  with  him: 
"  Purify  yourselves,  and  change  your  garments ;  and  let  U8 
arise  and  go  up  to  Beth-el,  and  I  will  build  there  an  altar 
unto  God,  who  answered  me  on  the  day  of  my  distress,  and 
was  with  me  in  the  way  which  I  went."  And  they  went 
to  Beth-el,  were  Jacob  fulfilled  his  vow  which  he  had 
made  there  on  his  flight  from  his  brother  Esau.  During 
their  stay  in  this  place,  Deborah^  Rebekah's  nurse,  died, 
and  her  loss  was  greatly  bewailed. 

In  Beth-el,  God  appeared  to  Jacob  and  gave  him  the 
name  of  Israel,  which  signifies  Champion  of  God,  and 
promised  him  also  that  his  posterity  should  inherit  the 
land  of  Canaan.  From  this  name  Israel,  we  derive  that 
of  Israelites.  From  Beth-el  Jacob  moved  to  Bethlehem. 
On  the  way,  when  already  near  the  city,  his  beloved  Rachel 
died,  and  Jacob  buried  her  by  the  roadside,  and  set  up  a 
monument  upon  her  grave,  which  is  shown  even  to  this 
day.  From  Bethlehem  Jacob  went  to  Hebron  to  his  father, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  years, 
after  having  experienced  the  joy  of  seeing  once  more  his 


86  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELHITIS    SCHOOLS. 

yonnger  son.     Esau  and  Jacob  buried  bim  in  the  family 
sepulchre  of  Abr.ihara. 

The  two  brolheis  did  not  dwell  together  for  a  long 
time.  Their  riches  were  too  large  to  allow  them  to  stay 
in  the  same  place  together.  Esau  went  with  his  family 
to  mount  JSeir,  and  became  the  progenitor  of  the  £domites. 


§  19.  The  Brothers  or  Joseph  Selling  him  through  Envy. 

[Genesis  xxxviii,] 

Of  all  his  sons,  Jacob  loved  Joseph,  the  elder-born  son 
of  his  beloved  Rachel,  the  most:  for  he  was  an  affection- 
ate, handsome,  and  intelligent  lad.  But  his  brothers  en- 
vied and  hated  him  on  account  of  the  partial  fondness 
with  which  their  father  clung  to  him.  And  their  hatred 
grew  still  stronger,  when  he  once  related  to  them,  with 
innocent  joy,  two  of  his  dreams,  which  seemed  to  intimate 
that  he  should  at  some  future  time  rule  over  them.  "I 
have  dreamed,"  he  said  to  them,  "that  we  were  binding 
sheaves  in  the  field,  and  lo!  my  sheaf  arose,  and  also 
stood  upright ;  but  your  sheaves  stood  round  about,  and 
made  obeisance  to  my  sheaf."  At  another  time  he  told 
them  the  following  dream,  saying,  *'The  sun  and  the 
moon  and  eleven  stars  made  obeisance  tome;"  meaning 
thereby  that  his  father,  his  mother,  and  his  eleven  brothers 
bowed  down  to  him.  Besides,  he  proved  to  be  a  tale- 
bearer, telling  his  father  whatever  evil  his  brothers  did. 
All  these  things  together  roused  their  hatred  so  greatly 
that  they  could  not  even  bear  his  sight. 

One  day,  the  brothers  of  Joseph  having  gone  to  a  dis- 
tant pasture-ground  with  their  flocks,  Jacob  said  to  him: 
"  Go,  I  pray  thee,  and  see  whether  it  be  well  with  thy 
brethren,  and  well  with  the  flocks ;  and  bring  me  word 
again."  Joseph  at  once  obeyed  the  bidding  of  his  father 
and  departed.  But  he  returned  no  more.  When  his 
brothers  saw  him  afar  off,  they  said  to  each  other :  "  Be- 
hold, the  dreamer  cometh  ;  come  now,  and  let  us  slay  him, 
and  cast  him  into  some  pit,  and  we  will  say,  some  evil 
beast  has  devoured  him :  and  we  shall  see  what  will  be- 
com«  of  Lis  dieams."     But  Reuben  said :   "  Why  will  you 


BIBLICAL   HISTORT  FOR   ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS.  27 

Blay  him?  Shed  no  blood,  but  cast  him  rather  into  one 
of  the  pits,  and  lay  no  hand  upon  him."  It  was  the  in- 
tention ot  Reuben  secretly  to  take  him  again  out  of  the 
pit  and  to  deliver  him  to  his  father.  When  Joseph  was 
come  unto  his  brothers,  they  stript  him  of  his  coat  of 
many  colors,  and  cast  him  into  one  of  the  empty  pits. 
Now  it  happened  that,  while  Reuben  was  absent,  Ishmael- 
itish  merchants  passed  by,  being  on  their  way  to  Egypt 
(called  Mizraim)  with  spicery,  balm,  and  myrrh.  And 
Judah  said  to  his  brothers:  "What  profit  is  it  if  we  slay 
our  brother,  and  conceal  his  blood  %  Come,  and  let  us 
sell  him  to  the  Ishmaelites,  and  let  not  our  hand  be  upon 
him ;  for  he  is  our  brother  and  our  flesh.'  This  pro- 
position was  adopted ;  and  Joseph  was  sold  for  twenty 
pieces  of  silver,  and  carried  away  by  the  Ishmaelites  with- 
out mercy.  When  Reuben  returned  to  the  pit  and  found 
Joseph  no  more,  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  exclaimed :  "The 
child  is  no  more ;  and  I,  whither  shall  I  go  ?"  But  the 
brother's  took  Joseph's  coat,  killed  a  kid  of  the  goats,  dip- 
ped the  coat  in  the  blood,  sent  it  in  this  state  to  their 
father,  and  said:  This  coat  we  have  found;  know  now 
whether  it  be  thy  son's  coat  or  not?  To  his  great  terror, 
Jacob  recognized  the  coat  of  his  favorite  child.  Full  of 
agony  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  filled  his  tent  with  the  heart- 
rending cry:  ^'Alas!  alas!  it  is  my  son's  coat;  an  evil 
beast  has  devoured  him ;  Joseph  is  rent  in  pieces." 

All  his  sons  and  daughters  came  to  comfort  him;  but  he 
refused  to  be  comforted,  saying :  "  No,  I  will  go  down  into 
the  dark  grave  unto  my  son  mourning."  Thus  did  his 
father  weep  for,  and  mourn  over  Joseph. 


§  20.  Joseph  a  Slave.     [Genesis  xxxix.] 

God  turned  the  evil  designs  ot  Jacob's  sons  unto  good. 
The  Ishmaelites  sold  Joseph  to  Potiphar^  the  captain  of  the 
body-guard  of  the  king  of  Egypt.  Joseph,  however,  was  not 
disheartened,  but  piously  bore  his  unfortunate  condition. 
He  served  his  master  faithfully  and  honestly,  and  God 
made  all  that  he  did  prosper  in  his  hand.  For  this  reason 
his  master  loved  him  greatly,  and  confided  his  whole 


28  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOIA 

househoH  to  his  care.  But  he  can  not  yet  be  called 
altogetlier  strong,  who  knows  only  how  to  bear  outioard 
adversity.  Joseph  was  destined  to  attain  greatness ;  there- 
fore, he  had  to  undergo  trials,  whether  he  could  withstand 
also  iincard  temptations  and  strifes.  Soon  an  opportunity 
presented  itself  for  sucli  trials.  Potiphar  had  a  very 
wicked  and  corrupt  wife,  who  made  every  exertion  to  mis- 
lend  Joseph  to  faithlessness.  But  he  remained  faithful  to  his 
God  and  to  piety,  exclaiming:  *'How  can  I  do  this  great 
evil  and  sin  against  my  God?"  As  often  as  she  urged 
upon  him  to  do  evil,  he  fled  from  her.  She  became  angry 
and  resolved  to  take  revenge.  She  accused  him,  before 
Potiphar,  of  the  yi^ry  evil  deed  to  which  she  had  made 
frequent  attempts  to  mislead  him.  Potiphar  believed  his 
treaclierous  wife,  and  ordered  tliat  he  should  be  thrown 
into  the  prison  wliere  the  kings'  prisoners  were  confined, 
iiitt  order  was  immediately  carried  into  execution. 


21.  Joseph  in  Prison.     [Genesis  xl.] 

Joseph  was  now  in  prison.  But  here  also  he  did  not 
lose  his  fortitude  and  courage,  and  God  was  with  him. 
By  his  good  behaviour  he  won  the  favor  of  the  keeper  of 
the  prison,  who  allowed  him  many  privileges,  and  made 
liim  overseer  over  all  his  fellow-prisoners.  Among  these 
there  were  also  two  officers  of  the  king,  the  chief  butler  and 
the  chief  baker  of  the  royal  court  lioth  had,  in  one  night, 
very  remarkable  dreams  which  alarmed  them  greatly. 
When  Joseph  obseiTed  their  sadness,  he  asked  them. 
Baying:  "  Wiierefore  look  ye  so  sadly  to-day?"  They 
answered:  "We  have  dreamed  a  dream,  and  can  find  no 
one  to  intei*pret  it"  And  Joseph  said  unto  them  :  '-^  Inter- 
pretatio7i8  helo7ig  imto  God  alone;  yet  tell  me  your  dreams, 
I  pray  you."  And  the  chief  butler  told  his  dream,  saying: 
"  In  my  dream,  behold,  a  vine  was  before  me ;  and  in  the 
vine  were  three  branches ;  and  it  was  as  though  it  budded, 
and  the  blossoms  shot  forth ;  and  the  clusters  thereoi 
brought  forth  ripe  grapes.  And  I  took  the  grapes  and 
pressed  them  into  Pharaoh's  cup,  and  I  gave  the  cup  into 
Pharaoh's  hand."  Joseph  said  to  him:  "The  three  branches 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISII   SCHOOLS.  29 

wcrnify  three  days.  Within  three  days  shall  Pharaoh  re- 
store thee  unto  thy  place.  And  then  think  also  on  me, 
when  it  shall  be  well  with  thee,  and  show  kindness,  I  pray 
thee,  unto  me,  and  pray  nnto  the  king,  that  he  may  deliver 
me  from  this  prison.  For,  indeed,  I  have  done  nothing 
that  I  should  have  deserved  to  be  put  into  the  dungeon." 
This  interpretation  pleased  the  chief  baker,  and  he  then 
told  his  dream  to  Joseph,  saying :  "  I  had  three  baskets  on 
my  head,  and  in  the  uppermost  basket  there  was  all  man- 
ner of"  bake-meats  for  Pharaoh  ;  and  the  birds  did  eat  them 
out  of  the  basket  upon  my  head."  And  Joseph  answered 
and  said:  "The  three  baskets  signify  three  days.  Within 
three  days  shall  Pharaoh  lift  up  thy  head  from  off  thee, 
and  shall  hang  thee  on  a  tree,  and  the  birds  shall  eat  thy 
flesh  from  off  thee."  These  interpretations  were  fulfilled ; 
but  the  chief  butler  forgot  Joseph,  and  reniembeied  him 
no  more  in  his  prosperity. 


§  22.  The  Release  op  Joseph.     [Genesis  xli.] 

Two  years  afterwards,  the  king  himself  dreamed  that 
he  stood  by  the  river,  and  he  saw  seven  fat-fleshed  kine, 
and  after  them  seven  lean-fleshed  ones  come  up  out  of  the 
river.  And  the  latter  ate  up  the  former,  and  yet  it  could 
not  be  known  that  they  had  eaten  them.  After  this  dream 
Pharaoh  awoke,  but  fell  again  asleep  and  had  another 
dream.  He  saw  seven  rank  and  good  ears  of  corn  grow 
up  from  the  earth,  and  after  them  seven  others  that  were 
thin  and  parched ;  and  the  latter  devoured  the  former. 
Of  all  the  wise  men  of  Egypt,  whom  the  king  consulted  in 
the  morning,  not  one  could  interpret  these  strange  dreams. 
And  now  the  chief  butler  remembered  Joseph,  and  spoke 
to  Pharaoh  of  his  skill  in  the  interpretation  of  dreams. 
Joseph  was  immediately  taken  from  the  prison,  and  hand- 
somely dressed,  brought  before  Pharaoh,  who  said  to  him : 
"I  have  heard  that  thou  understandest  well  to  interpret 
dreams."  To  which  Joseph  modestly  answered :  "  Not  1 
but  God  shall  give  Pharaoh  an  answer  of  peace.  But  re- 
late, I  pray  thee,  thy  dreams  unto  me."  The  king  then 
told  him  his  dreams  5  and  God  gave  Joseph  the  wisdom  to 


30  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISII    SCHOOLS. 

intei-pret  them.  He,  consequently,  addressed  the  kin^, 
saying:  "What  God  is  about  to  do,  He  showeth  unto 
Pharaoh.  Behold,  tliere  will  come  seven  years  of  great 
plenty  throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  there  shall 
arise  after  them  seven  years  of  famine.  Now,  therefore, 
let  Pharaoh  erect  storehouses,  and  gather,  during  the  seven 
plenteous  years,  the  fifth  part  of  all  the  corn  of  Egypt,  and 
lay  it  up  for  store  to  the  land  against  the  seven  years  ol 
famine ;  that  the  land  perish  not  through  the  famine." 
Pharaoh,  greatly  pleased  with  his  speech,  said  to  Joseph : 
*'  Forasmuch  as  God  has  granted  thee  so  much  wit^dom 
and  understanding,  thou  shalt  be  over  my  house,  and  I 
shall  set  thee  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt."  Thereupon  he 
took  off  his  ring  from  his  hand,  and  put  it  upon  Joseph's 
hand,  (as  a  token  that  the  latter  could  henceforth  decree 
laws  in  the  name  of  the  king,)  and  arrayed  him  in  gar- 
ments of  fine  linen,  and  put  a  gold  chain  about  his  neck, 
and  caused  the  following  proclamation  to  be  made :  "  Bow 
the  knee:  this  is  your  ruler  I"  Pharaoh  gave  him  also 
the  daughter  of  an  Egyptian  high-priest  to  wife. 

The  poor  prisoner  slave  thus  all  at  once  became  chief 
minister  of  a  king  of  Egypt.  Joseph  then  travelled  all 
over  the  land  of  Egypt,  gathered  corn  during  the  years  of 
plenty,  and  laid  it  up  in  storehouses  with  the  most  prudent 
care  for  the  years  of  famine.  And  as  he  had  predicted, 
the  years  of  dearth  came,  and  famine,  distress,  and  misery 
reigned  in  all  neighboring  countries,  while  the  Egyptians 
were  still  provided  with  bread.  But  when  their  provisions 
were  exhausted,  they  cried  to  Pliaraoh  for  bread.  And 
Pharaoh  said  to  them:  *'Go  unto  Joseph;  what  he  saith 
to  you,  do."  Joseph  then  opened  the  storehouses  and 
provided  the  Egyptians  with  corn.  And  the  people  of 
other  countiies  also  came  to  Joseph  to  buy  coin  fiom  him. 


S  23.     The   First   Journky  of   Joseph's    Brothers  to 
Egypt.     [Genesis  xliL] 

The   land   of  Canaan   suffered   likewise  by  this  famine. 
And  Jacob  said  to  his  sons :    "  I  have  heard  that  there  is 


BIBLICAL  HISTORT  FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  31 

corn  in  Egypt :  get  you  down  thither  and  buy  for  us  from 
thence,  that  we  may  live  and  not  die."  The  sons  of  Jacob 
departed  upon  their  journey;  but  Benjamin,  Joseph's 
brother,  Jacob  did  not  send  with  them,  fearing  lest  some 
evil  accident  might  befall  him.  They  arrived  safely  in 
Egypt,  appeared  before  Joseph,  bowed  down  themselves 
before  him  with  their  faces  to  the  earth,  but  did  not  rocogh 
nize  him,  both  on  account  of  the  brilliant  attire  of  his 
royal  grandeur,  and  because  the  lad  whom  they  had  sold, 
when  seventeen  years  old,  was  then  a  man  of  thirty-eight 
years.  Joseph,  on  the  other  hand,  at  once  recognized  them, 
and  remembered  the  dreams  he  had  had  in  the  days  of  his 
youth.  Although  it  was  now  in  his  power  to  punish  them 
for  their  cruel  conduct  towards  him,  he  banished  every 
thought  of  revenge  from  his  bosom;  he  still  loved  his 
brothers,  and  had  long  forgiven  them.  Intending,  however, 
to  try  them,  and  see  whether  they  had  become  better  men, 
he  made  them  believe  that  he  did  not  know  them,  and 
asked  them  with  feigned  harshness:  "Whence  do  you 
come?"  They  answered  with  trembling  voices :  ''We  are 
come  from  Canaan,  to  buy  food."  "  No,"  replied  Joseph, 
"  I  know  ye  better ;  ye  are  spies  ;  to  see  the  nakedness  of 
the  land  ye  are  come."  Submissively  they  answered: 
^'  Pardon  Lord  I  we  are  come  to  buy  food.  We  are  honest 
men  ;  thy  servants  are  no  spies.  We  are  twelve  brethren, 
the  sons  of  one  man,  the  youngest  alone  is  with  our  father, 
and  the  other — is  no  more."  Joseph  would  no  longer 
listen  to  them,  but  said :  "It  is  so,  as  I  have  said  to  you, 
ye  are  spies."  He  then  sent  them  into  prison,  but  already 
on  the  third  day  he  had  them  again  brought  before  him, 
and  said  to  them  :  *'  I  fear  God,  and  would  do  injustice  to 
no  man.  If  ye  be  true  men,  let  one  of  your  brethren  be 
bound  in  the  house  of  your  prison  ;  go  ye,  carry  corn  for 
the  famine  of  your  houses.  But  bring  your  youngest 
brother  unto  me,  so  shall  your  words  be  verified,  and  ye 
shall  not  die."  Now  their  grief  increased.  Conscience- 
stricken  they  spoke  to  each  other,  in  Hebrew :  "  We  are 
indeed  guilty  concerning  our  brethren,  in  that  we  saw  the 
anguish  of  his  soul  when  he  besought  us,  and  we  would 
not  hear;  therefore  is  this  distress  come  upon  us."  And 
Reuben  answered  them,  saying:  "Spake  I  not  unto  you, 


82  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAEUnSH    SCHOOLa 

paying,  Do  not  sin  airainst  the  child,  and  ye  wonlc!  not 
hear?  therefore,  behold,  also  his  blood  is  required."  They 
did  not  know  that  Joseph  understood  their  language. 
When  he  heard  their  words,  he  could  not  suppress  his 
tears;  he  turned  away  and  wept.  He  now  perceived  that 
they  had  become  better.  However,  as  he  desired  to  in- 
crease their  feelings  of  repentance,  he  ordered  that  Simeon, 
who  had  no  doubt  shown  himself  to  be  the  most  unfeeling 
of  them,  should  be  bound  before  them,  and  sent  him  into 
prison.  He  then  commanded  to  fill  the  sacks  of  his  other 
brothers  with  corn,  to  restore,  unknown  to  them,  every 
roan's  money  into  his  sack,  and  dismissed  them.  They 
laded  their  asses  with  the  corn  and  departed.  On  their 
way  one  of  them  opened  his  sack  to  give  his  a.ss  provender, 
and  found  to  his  great  astonishment,  his  money  therein. 
All  were  filled  with  dread,  saying  one  to  another:  **\Vhy 
hath  God  done  tliis  unto  us?"  Arrived  at  home  they 
emptied  their  sacks,  and,  behold!  every  one  found  his 
bundle  of  money  in  his  sack.  They  then  told  their  father 
all  that  had  happened  during  their  journey  and  their  stay 
in  Egypt.  When  Jacob  had  heard  their  narrative,  he 
cried,  and  said :  **  Ye  will  yet  bereave  me  of  all  my  child- 
ren :  Joseph  is  no  more,  Simeon  is  no  more,  and  now  ye 
will  take  also  Benjamin  away.  All  these  things  are  against 
me!**  And  Reuben  answered  his  father,  saying:  **  Deliver 
him  into  my  hand  ;  I  will  bring  him  to  thee  again.  I  will 
leave  my  two  sons  as  hostages,  that  I  shall  fulfill  my  pro- 
mise." But  Jacob  replied :  "  My  son  shall  not  go  down 
with  you ;  for  his  brother  is  dead,  and  he  is  left  alone  of 
the  sons  of  his  mother.  If  mischief  befall  him  by  the  way 
in  which  ye  go,  then  shall  ye  biing  down  my  gray  hairs 
with  sorrow  to  the  grave." 


§  24.  The   Second    Journey   op   Joseph's  Brothers  to 
Egypt.     [Genesis  xliii.] 

When  the  com  brought  fi*om  Egypt  was  eaten  up,  Jacob 
said  to  his  sons:  "Go  again,  buy  a  little  food."  And 
Judah   replied,   saying:    "If  thou   wilt  send  our  brother 


BTBUCAL  HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  83 

Benjamin  with  us,  we  will  go  to  buy  corn  ;  but  without 
Benjamin  we  cannot  appear  before  the  man.  Send  the 
lad  with  me.  I  will  be  surety  for  him  ;  of  my  hand  shalt 
thou  require  him  :  if  I  bring  him  not  unto  thee  again,  and 
set  him  before  thee,  then  let  me  bear  the  blame  forever." 
Jacob  persisted  for  a  long  time  in  his  refusal  to  send 
Benjamin  with  them.  But  the  famine  becoming  greater 
every  day,  he  at  last  consented,  saying:  "If  it  must  be  so 
now,  do  this :  take  ofi  the  best  frait  of  the  land  in  your 
vessels,  and  carry  down  the  man  a  present,  a  little  bahii 
and  a  little  honey,  spices,  and  myrrh,  nuts,  and  almonds. 
And  take  double  money  in  your  hand,  and  the  money  that 
was  brought  again  in  your  sacks,  carry  it  again  with  you ; 
peradventure  it  was  an  oversight  Take  also  your  brother, 
and  arise,  go  again  unto  the  man.  And  God  Almighty 
may  give  you  mercy  before  the  man,  that  he  may  send 
away  your  other  brother  and  Benjamin.  But  if  I  be  be- 
reaved of  my  children,  be  it  so!"  The  sons  of  Jacob  then 
departed  to  Egypt  with  Benjamin.  When  Joseph  saw 
them,  he  said  to  the  ruler  of  his  house :  "  Bring  these  men 
home,  and  prepare  a  repast  for  them ;  for  they  shall  dine 
with  me  to-day."  But  his  brothers  were  afraid,  when  they 
were  brought  into  Joseph's  house,  and  they  said:  ''Because 
of  the  money  that  was  returned  in  our  sacks  at  the  first 
time  are  we  brought  in ;  that  he  may  seek  occasion  against 
us,  and  fall  upon  us,  and  take  us  for  bondmen."  They 
therefore  addressed  the  steward  of  Joseph's  house,  and 
told  him  that  they  had  found  the  money  in  their  sacks  and 
brought  it  back  again.  The  steward  answered  them,  say- 
ing :  "  Peace  be  with  you !  Fear  not !  Your  God  and 
the  God  of  your  father  hath  given  you  treasure  in  your 
sacks;  I  had  your  money."  He  then  released  Simeon 
from  the  prison,  and  brought  him  to  them,  and  gave  them 
water  to  wash  their  feet,  and  provender  for  their  asses. 
When  Joseph  came  home,  they  offered  him  the  present 
which  they  held  in  their  hands,  and  bowed  themselves  to 
him  to  the  earth.  But  he  greeted  them  very  kindly  and 
eaid  at  once  to  them :  "  Is  your  father  well,  the  old  man, 
of  whom  you  spake  ?  Is  he  yet  alive  ?"  Hereupon  he 
looked  for  Benjamin,  and,  recognizing  him,  said :  "  Is  this 
your  younger  brother  of  whom  you  spoke  to  me  ?     God 


84  BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS. 

be  gracious  unto  thee,  my  son !"  While  he  spoke  these 
words,  his  feelings  overpowered  him,  he  hastened  away 
into  his  chamber  and  wept ;  for  his  heart  was  filled  with 
love  and  tender  affection.  Most  willingly  would  he  have 
now  made  himself  known,  for  he  saw  that  they  had  im- 
proved. They  had  returned  to  Egypt  to  release  their 
brother  Simeon;  they  had  brought  back  the  money  found 
in  their  sacks  ;  their  speeches  proved  that  they  feared. 
God  :  but  one  thing  more  was  wanted :  Joseph  not  doubt- 
ing that  his  brother  Benjamin  was  now,  as  heliimselfin 
former  days,  tlie  favorite  of  his  father,  was  desirous  to 
learn,  whether  Benjamin  was  in  the  same  manner  hated 
by  them,  as  he  himself  had  once  been  the  subject  of  their 
hatred.  He,  therefore,  commanded  the  steward  of  liis  house 
afler  dinner,  saying:  "Fill  the  men's  sacks  with  food,  as 
much  as  they  can  carry,  and  put  every  man's  money  in 
his  sack's  mouth.  And  put  my  cup,  the  silver  cup,  in  the 
sack  of  til e  youngest"  The  steward  did  as  Joseph  had 
commanded.  But  no  sooner  were  they  gone  out  of  ihi 
city,  than  the  steward  followed  after  them,  at  the  command 
of  Josc])h,  overtook  them,  and  said  to  them:  *' Wherefore 
have  ye  rewarded  evil  for  good?  Why  have  ye  stolen  the 
cup  of  my  lord  V  They  answered  :  "  Wherefore  saith  my 
lord  these  words?  God  forbi<i  that  thy  servants  should  do 
acconling  to  this  thing.  Behold,  the  money  which  we 
found  in  our  sacks  we  brought  again  unto  thee  out  of  the 
land  of  Canaan :  liow  then  should  we  steal  out  of  thy 
lord's  house  silver  or  gold?  Search  our  sacks,  and  with 
whomsoever  of  thy  servants  the  cup  be  found,  both  let 
him  die,  and  we  also  be  my  lord's  bondtnen."  Then  they 
speedily  took  down  every  man  his  sack  to  the  ground, 
and  opened  every  man  his  sack,  but,  to  their  great  liorror, 
the  cup  was  found  in  the  sack  of  Benjamin.  Horror- 
stricken,  they  rent  their  clothes,  re-laded  their  asses,  and 
returned  into  the  city.  Oh  I  what  deep  feelings  of  grief 
and  alarm  nnist  have  filled  theii*  heaits  on  their  retain  to 
ilie  house  of  Joseph  I 


BIBLICAL   HISTOSY   FOB  ISSAELITLSH   SCHOOLS.  85 

25.  The  Recognition.     [Genesis  xliv.  xlv.] 

Tht  sons  of  Jacob  were  brought  before  Joseph,  who 
addressed  them  saying:  ''What  shameful  deed  have  ye 
committed?"  And  Judah  said:  ''What  shall  we  say 
unto  my  lord  ?  how  can  we  clear  ourselves  1  God  hath 
found  out  the  iniquity  of  thy  servants,  therefore  this  has 
happened  unto  us.  Behold !  we  will  all  now  be  thy  bond- 
men." But  Joseph  said:  "God  forbid  that  I  should  do 
bo;  but  the  man  in  whose  hand  the  cup  was  found,  he 
shall  be  my  servant ;  as  for  you,  get  you  up  in  peace  unto 
your  father." 

Judah,  remembering  the  promise  which  he  had  made 
to  his  father  concerning  Benjamin,  then  drew  near,  and 
spoke  to  Joseph  with  a  touching  voice,  saying:  "O  my 
lord !  let  thy  servant,  I  pray  thee,  speak  a  word  in  my 
lord's  ears,  and  let  not  thine  anger  burn  against  thy  ser- 
vant. I  have  become  surety  for  this  lad,  who  is  alone  left 
of  the  sons  of  his  mother,  and  our  father's  heart  clings 
most  lovingly  to  him.  Thy  servant  our  father  said  to  us, 
You  know  that  my  wife  bare  me  two  sons.  And  the  one 
went  out  from  me,  and  I  saw  him  not  since.  And  if  ye 
take  this  also  from  me,  and  mischief  befall  him,  ye  shall 
bring  down  my  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave  Now 
therefore  when  I  come  to  thy  servant  my  father,  and  the 
lad  be  not  with  us,  seeing  that  his  life  is  bound  up  in  the 
lad's  life :  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  he  seeth  that  the 
lad  is  not  with  us,  that  he  will  die,  and  thy  servants  shall 
bring  down  the  gray  hairs  of  thy  servant  our  father  with 
sorrow  to  the  grave.  Now,  therefore,  I  pray  thee,  let  me 
abide  instead  of  the  lad  as  bondman  to  my  lord ;  and  let 
the  lad  go  home  with  his  brothers.  For  how  shall  I  go 
home  to  my  father  without  the  lad  ?  How  could  I  see  the 
grief  that  shall  come  upon  my  father?"  Joseph  could  no 
longer  restrain  himself— he  could  no  longer  master  his 
feelings,  and  exclaimed:  *'Let  every  Egyptian  go  out!" 
When  he  was  alone  with  his  brothers,  he  wept  aloud,  so 
that  he  could  be  heard  even  outside  of  the  house,  and  said 
to  his  brothers:  "I  am  Joseph,  doth  my  father  yet  live?'* 
His  brothers  were  unable  to  reply ;  for  terror,  shame,  and 
joy  perplexed  their  hearts  and  minds.      Joseph  kindly 


86  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

anticipated  them,  and  said :  "  Come  near  to  me,  I  pray 
you.  I  am  yom*  brother  Joseph,  whom  you  sold  into 
E<2:ypt.  But  think  not  that  I  am  angry  on  this  account. 
Not  you,  but  God  did  send  me  hither,  and  hath  made  me 
a  father  unto  Egypt,  to  preserve  your  Hves  in  these  years 
of  famine.  Hasten  to  my  father,  and  tell  him  of  all  my 
glory  in  Egypt,  and  of  all  that  you  have  seen.  Hasten 
now,  and  bring  down  my  father  hither."  After  these 
words,  he  fell  upon  his  brother  Benjamin's  neck  and  wept. 
And  Benjamin  wept  upon  his  neck.  He  then  kissed  all 
his  brothers  and  wept  in  their  arms ;  and  after  that  only, 
his  brothers  talked  with  him. 

When  Pharaoh  heard  that  Joseph's  brothers  had  come, 
he  was  exceedingly  pleased,  and  commanded  Joseph  to 
give  his  brothers  wagons  and  food  for  their  journey,  and 
besides,  a  festival  garment  to  each  of  them:  but  Ben- 
jamin received  five  garments  and  three  hundred  pieces  of 
silver.  And  to  his  father  he  sent  ten  asses  laden  with 
good  things  of  Egypt,  and  ten  she-asses  laden  with  corn, 
bread  and  meat  for  his  journey. 

Then  Joseph  took  leave  of  his  brothers,  and  said  to 
them  on  their  departure:  *'Be  not  agitated  by  the  way! 
All  be  forgotten!" 


S  26.    The  Family  of  Jacob  Removtno  to  Eqtpt. 
[Genesis  xlvi.]. 

Jacob  passed  the  days  dunng  which  all  his  sons  were 
away  from  him,  in  great  sadness.  But  liis  sadness  was 
soon  changed  into  joy.  They  all  returned  and  brought 
him,  as  the  best  token  of  their  welcome  gi*eeting,  the  in- 
telligence that  Joseph  was  still  alive,  and  ruler  over  all 
the  land  of  Egypt.  The  intense  joy  of  Jacob  at  this  in- 
telligence may  be  felt,  but  cannot  be  described  in  words. 
His  heart  fainted,  for  he  could  hardly  believe  them.  But 
when  they  told  him  all  the  words  of  Joseph,  and  he  beheld 
the  wagons  which  Joseph  had  sent  to  carry  him  and  his 
family  to  Egypt,  his  spirit  revived  in  joy,  and  he  ex- 
claimed: "It  is  enough;  Joseph  my  son  is  yet  alive.  I 
will  go  and  see  him  before  I  die.     Although  he  was  old 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR  ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS.  87 

and  infirm,  he  nevertheless  hastened  to  leave  Canaan,  and 
departed  with  his  own  family,  consisting  of  seventy  per- 
sons, for  the  land  of  Egypt.  At  the  boundary  of  Canaan 
be  offered  sacrifices  to  his  God. 

Joseph  could  not  wait  for  the  arrival  of  his  father  in 
Egypt,  he  w^as  too  anxious  to  see  him  again ;  he  mounted 
bis  chariot  to  meet  him  on  the  way.  As  soon  as  he  saw 
bim,  he  left  his  chariot,  fell  on  his  neck,  and  wept  for  some 
time  in  his  arms.  And  Jacob  also  wept,  and  said ;  "  Now 
let  me  die,  because  I  have  seen  thy  face,  that  thou  art  yet 
alive."  When  the  family  of  Jacob  had  entered  the  city, 
Joseph  presented  his  father  and  some  of  his  brothers  be- 
fore Pharaoh,  who  asked  the  venerable  Patriarch:  "How 
old  art  thouf*  Jacob  replied:  ''The  days  of  the  years 
of  my  pilgrimage  are  one  hundred  and  thirty  years ;  few 
and  evil  have  been  the  days  of  the  years  of  my  life,  and 
have  not  attained  unto  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life 
of  my  fathers  in  the  days  of  their  pilgrimage."  He  then 
blessed  Pharaoh  and  withdrew. 

Joseph  did  all  that  lay  in  his  power  to  render  the  re- 
mainder of  Jacob's  life  happy  and  joyful,  tje  gave  him 
the  best  part  of  the  land,  the  region  of  Goshen,  for  his 
dwelling  place.  Seventeen  years  afterwards,  Jacob  be- 
came sick.  When  Joseph  heard  it,  he  went  with  his  sons 
Manasseh  and  JEphraim  to  see  his  father.  Jacob  said  to 
him:  "Do  not  bury  me  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  but  with 
my  fathers  in  the  cave  of  Machpelah,  which  is  before 
Mamre,  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  in  our  family  sepulchre." 
He  then  blessed  the  sons  of  Joseph,  and  adopted  them  as 
his  own  children.  He  then  also  blessed  his  own  sons  and, 
when  finished,  "he  gathered  up  his  feet  into  his  bed,  and 
expired."  Joseph  fell  upon  his  face,  and  wept  upon  him, 
and  kissed  him.  The  Egyptians  mourned  for  Jacob 
seventy  days,  after  which  Joseph,  accompanied  by  his 
brethren  and  a  large  number  of  Egyptians,  went  to 
Canaan  to  fulfil  the  last  wish  of  his  father,  and  buried  him 
in  the  cave  of  Machpelah. 

After  their  return  to  Egypt,  the  brothers  of  Joseph 
feared  that  he,  as  their  father  was  dead,  might  now  take 
revenge  upon  them  for  all  the  evil  which  they  had  done 
to  him,  sent  a  messenger  to   him,   and   went  afterwards 

4 


88  BIBLICAL  HlfiTOBY  FOB   ISRAELrnSH    SCHOOIA 

tliemselves,  to  implore  his  forgiveness  for  their  great 
wrong  doing.  But  Joseph  said  to  them:  *' Fear  not;  I 
also  stand  under  God.  Though  ye  thought  evil  against 
me,  God  meant  it  unto  good.  Fear  not,  I  will  nourish 
yon,  and  your  little  ones.**  And  he  faithfully  performed 
all  he  had  promised. 

Joseph  lived  to  such  a  happy  old  age,  as  to  see  the 
children  and  children's  children  of  his  sons  Manasseh  and 
Ephraim,  and  died  in  the  one  hundred  and  tenth  year  of 
his  life,  after  having  requested  his  brothers  to  carry  his 
bones  with  them  to  the  land  of  Canaan,  whenever  they 
should  return  thither  His  body  was  embalmed  and  kept 
in  a  oo^in  in  Egypt. 


BIBUCAL  HISTOAX  JTOB  IgBAELITISH   SOHOOLS.  39 


HI. 
THE  ISRAELITES  IN  EGYPT. 


§  27.   Birth  op  Moses.     [Exodus  i.  ii.J 

After  the  death  of  Jacob  and  Joseph,  the  Israelites  had 
no  longer  a  common  chieftain,  but  every  tribe  had  a  dis- 
tinct name,  taken  from  that  of  their  several  chieftains,  that 
is  to  say,  from  the  names  of  the  sons  of  Jacob.  Yet  all 
the  tribes  lived  in  entire  seclusion  Irom  the  E_,'yptians,  so 
that  their  pure  knowledge  of  God  could  not  be  disturbed 
by  Eii^yptian  idolatry. 

In  the  course  of  time,  a  new  kmg  arose,  who  knew  not 
Joseph,  nor  the  meritorious  services  which  he  had  ren- 
dered Egypt,  and  regarded  with  indignation  and  animosity 
the  flourishing  condition  and  mighty  increase  of  the  Israel- 
ites. He  feared  their  vast  multitude,  and  apprehended  that 
they,  looked  upon  as  they  were  as  foreigners,  might  rebel, 
or  leave  the  land  against  his  will,  and  join  his  enemies. 
He,  therefore,  afflicted  them  with  intolerable  burthens, 
forced  them  to  perform  the  most  rigorous  services,  and 
treated  them  m  the  most  cruel  manner.  And  when  he 
saw  that  he  did  not  succeed  in  accomplishing  his  object  by 
all  these  means,  he  issued  the  inhuman  decree,  that  all  new- 
born male  children  should  be  cast  into  the  river :  hoping 
that  thus  the  Israelites  would  gradually  die  out.  But  God 
had  so  ordained  it  that  the  descendants  of  Jacob  should 
be  preserved,  in  order  that  He  might  accomplish,  through 
them,  great  and  miraculous  deeds.  The  more  the  Israel- 
ites were  afflicted,  the  more  they  multiplied  and  increased. 

In  the  year  2413,  after  the  Creation  of  the  World,  a 
handsome  boy  was  born  also  to  Amrmn  and  Jbchebed,  of 
the  tribe  of  LevL     They  hid  him  in  their  house  tliiee 


40  BIBTJCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS. 

months.  But  they  could  no  longer  conceal  him ;  for  the 
eye  of  envy  is  watcliful,  and  treachery  never  sleeps. 
Jochebed,  therefore,  wove  a  little  ark  of  bulrushes,  put 
the  child  into  it,  placed  it  amidst  the  flags  by  the  river's 
brink,  and  bade  her  daughter  Miriam  stand  afar  off  to 
watch  the  child.  It  happened  then  that  the  daughter  of 
the  king  came  down  to  the  river  to  bathe.  She  saw  the 
ark,  and  ordered  one  of  her  maids  that  were  witli  her,  to 
take  it  out  of  the  water  and  bring  it  to  her.  When  she 
opened  it,  and  saw  a  weeping  child  in  it,  she  exclaimed 
with  emotion :  '*  Oh !  this  is  one  of  the  Hebrews'  children." 
When  Miriam  observed  the  emotion  of  the  king's  daughter, 
she  ran  to  her  and  said :  "  Shall  I  go  and  call  to  thee  a 
nurse  of  the  Hebrew  women  that  she  may  nurse  the  child 
for  thee  ?"  And  Pharaoh's  daughter  replied  to  her :  "  Yes, 
go."  And  the  maid  hastened  and  called  the  child's  mother, 
who  thus  had  her  own  child  returned  to  her  from  the  hand 
of  the  princess. 

When  the  child  had  grown  np,  the  daughter  of  Pharaoh 
took  him  as  her  own  son,  and  called  him  Moses,  that  is, 
**the  Child  rescued  from  tho  Waters." 


§  28.     Moses  MAVTFEsrma  hts  Attachment  to  his 
People.     [Exodus  ii.] 

Mosea,  being  educated  at  the  palace  of  the  king,  had 
ample  opportunity  to  develop  his  talents,  and  learn  all  the 
wisdom  of  the  Egyptians,  which  afterwards  was  of  great 
advantage  to  him.  The  Pnncess  herself  regarded  him  as 
her  son.  No  doubt,  if  he  had  desired  it,  he  could  have 
attained  to  the  highest  offices  and  dignities  of  Egypt,  and 
he  could  have  enjoyed,  at  the  royal  couit,  all  the  pleasures 
that  the  world  could  afford.  But  the  sight  of  his  suffering 
brethren  filled  him  with  profound  grief;  he  disdained  the 
glory  that  the  Egyptians  could  bestow  upon  him,  while 
the  sad  condition  of  his  brethren  engaged  all  his  thoughts 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  41 

aTT^  feelings.  Once,  seeing  an  Egyptian  cruelly  beat  an 
Israelite,  he  was  so  deeply  moved  by  the  sight  that,  in 
taking  the  part  of  his  brother,  he  allowed  his  zeal  to  carry 
him  so  f'lr,  that  he  slew  the  Egyptian — no  doubt  inad* 
vertently,  in  the  zeal  of  his  interference — and  then  hid 
him  in  the  sand.  On  the  following  day  he  found  two 
Plebrews  striving  together,  and  said  to  him  who  was  in 
the  wrong:  "Why  smitest  thou  thy  fellow?"  Upon 
which  the  man  replied:  "Who  made  thee  a  ruler  and 
judge  over  usi  iiitendest  thou  to  kill  me,  as  thou  didst 
kill  the  Egyptian  ?"  Then  Moses  became  afraid,  and  said 
to  himself:  ''Surely  the  thing  is  already  become  known." 
Now,  when  Pharaoh  heard  of  the  event,  Moses  was  no 
longer  secure  in  Egypt.  He,  therefore,  fled  to  Midian, 
and  sat  down  fatigued  by  his  journey,  near  a  well. 

There  lived  a  priest  in  Midian,  named  Jethro,  who  had 
seven  daughters.  These  just  came  out  with  their  flocks 
to  draw  water ;  but  other  shepherds  came  and  drove  them 
away.  Moses  could  not  endure  to  see  this  injustice,  he 
helped  the  maids,  and  thus  enabled  them  to  water  their 
flocks.  When  they  had  returned  to  their  father's  house, 
they  related  all  that  had  happened.  Then  said  Jethro: 
"Where  is  the  man?  why  have  ye  not  invited  him  here 
to  eat?"  Moses  was  at  once  sent  for,  and  consented  to 
dwell  with  Jethro,  who  gave  him  his  daughter  ZijJiJorah 
for  his  wife,  and  kept  henceforth  the  flock  of  his  father-in- 
law.  He  had  two  sons,  whom  he  called  Gershom  and 
JEliezer, 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  king  of  Egypt  died ;  but  the  con- 
dition of  the  Israelities  grew  still  more  miserable.  "  And 
they  sighed  by  reason  of  their  bondage,"  and  they  cried 
for  help  to  their  Father  in  heaven,  and  He  barkened  unto 
their  lamentations. 


§  29.     The  Appointment  op  Moses.     (Exodus  iii) 

Moses,  as  we  have  just  heard,  kept  the  flock  of  Jethro. 
For  many  years  he  had  led  the  life  of  a  simple  and  modest 
shepherd,  and  reflected,  in  the  solitude  of  the  desert,  upon 
the  misery  of  his  fellow-Israelites  in  Egypt.     During  this 


42  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FJR   ISHAELITISa   SCHOOLS. 

time  he  had  acquired,  moreover,  that  calmness  and  discre- 
tion which  were  necessary  for  him  as  the  deliverer  of  his 
people  from  the  hand  of  tlie  tyrant.  The  heat  and  rash- 
ness of  his  youth  had  abated,  and  thus  he  was  well  ma- 
tured for  the  plans  which  God  had  laid  out  concerning  the 
redemption  of  Israel. 

One  day  he  tended  his  flock  near  the  foot  of  Mount 
Iloreb.  AH  at  once  he  beheld  a  bush  in  flames,  and  yet, 
the  bush  was  not  consumed.  He  drew  near  more  closely 
to  examine  the  appearance,  when  the  voice  of  God  ad- 
dressed him,  saying:  "Moses,  draw  not  nigh  hither :  put 
off  thy  shoes  from  thy  feet,  for  the  place  whereon  thou 
standest  is  holy  ground."  And  God  said  furthermore : 
**  I  am  the  God  of  Abraham,  of  Isaac,  and  of  Jacob.  I 
have  seen  the  affliction  of  my  people,  thy  brethren,  and 
have  heard  their  lamentations,,  and  I  am  come  down  to 
deliver  them.  Go  to  Pharaoh  in  Egypt,  and  demand  of 
him  that  he  should  let  my  people  depart  from  Egypt.  And 
I  am  sure  that  the  king  of  Egypt  will  not  let  you  go ;  but 
I  wi.l  stretch  out  my  hand,  and  smite  Egypt  with  all  my 
wonders,  and  after  that  he  will  let  you  go."  Moses,  be- 
lieving that  he  was  not  equal  to  such  a  task,  would  not 
accept  the  appointment,  and  said:  "But  the  people  of 
Israel  will  not  believe  me,  nor  hearken  unto  my  voice,  and 
will  say:  God  liath  not  appeared  unto  thee."  Then  said 
God  to  him :  "  Behold !  by  my  help  the  Israelites  will 
hearken  unto  thy  voice."  Moses  still  hesitated  to  under- 
tike  the  gi'eat  work,  and  said :  "  Thou  knowest,  O  ray 
Lord !  that  I  am  not  eloquent,  but  that  I  am  slow  of 
8])eech,  and  of  a  slow  tongue."  Then  God  answered  him, 
saying;  "  Who  hath  made  man's  mouth  t  or  who  maketh 
the  dumb,  or  deaf,  or  the  seeing,  or  the  blind  t  have  not  I 
the  Eternal  t  Now,  therefore,  go,  and  I  will  be  with  thy 
mouth,  and  teach  thee  what  thou  shalt  say."  Moses  said : 
**  O  my  Lord  I  send  him  whom  thou  wilt  send."  Then 
said  the  Eternal  with  great  force:  '*  Do  I  not  know  that 
thy  brother  Aaron  is  very  eloquent?  He  will  come  forth 
to  meet  thee,  and  when  he  seeth  thee,  he  will  be  glad  in 
his  heart.  He  shall  be  thy  companion  and  thy  spokesman 
before  the  king  and  the  people. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOB  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  43 

Moses  thereupon  returned  to  his  father-in-law,  took 
leave  fiom  him,  and  then  started  upon  his  journey  to 
Kgypt.  While  journeying  through  the  wilderness,  he  met 
his  brother  Aaron,  and  conversed  with  him  concerning 
the  great  task  which  God  had  intrusted  to  him.  They 
then  went  together  to  Egypt,  gathered  together  all  the 
elders  of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  communicated  to  them 
the  will  of  their  God.  And  the  people  believed,  bowed 
their  heads,  and  worshipped. 


§  30.     The  Deliverance  of  the  Israelites  prom  thh 
Egyptian  Bondage.    [Exodus  xii.] 

Moses  and  Aaron  stepped  before  Pharaoh,  and  demand- 
ed of  him,  by  virtue  of  God's  command,  to  let  the  Israel- 
ites go  on  a  three  day's  journey  to  celebrate  a  feast  in  the 
wilderness.  But  the  heathen  king  proudly  replied  upon 
this  demand:  "Who  is  the  Eternal,  your  God,  that  I 
should  obey  his  voice,  to  let  Israel  go?  I  know  not  your 
God,  neither  will  I  let  Israel  go.  There  is  too  great  a 
number  of  idle  people  in  the  land;  wherefore  will  ye  keep 
them  from  their  work  ?  Get  you  unto  your  burdens !  Ye 
are  idle,  ye  are  idle;  therefore  ye  say,  Let  us  go  and  cele- 
brate a  feast  in  the  desert.  But  now  ye  shall  be  forced  to 
do  still  harder  work,  in  order  that  ye  may  forget  all  desire 
of  celebrating  feasts!"  And  the  Israelites  were  indued 
still  more  oppressed,  and,  full  of  indignation,  they  s:iid  to 
Moses  and  Aaron  :  "  The  Lord  look  upon  you  and  judge, 
because  ye  have  made  our  savor  to  be  abhored  in  the 
eyes  of  Pharaoh,  and  in  the  eyes  of  his  servants,  to  put  a 
Bword  in  their  hand  to  slay  us."  Then  Moses  prayed, 
saying:  *'Lord,  wherefore  hast  Thou  so  evil-entreated 
this  people?  Why  is  it  that  Thou  hast  sent  me?  For 
since  I  came  to  Pharaoh  to  speak  in  Thy  name,  he  hath 
oppressed  this  people  still  more,  and  Thou  hast  not  yet 
delivered  them."  God  then  renewed  his  promise  of  help 
and  protection,  and  the  speedy  delivery  of  the  Israelites. 
Moses  conveyed  these  promises  to  his  brethren  ;  but  they 
would  not  listen  to  him,  for  anguish  of  spirit  and  for  cruel 
bondage. 


44  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

Now  Moses  appeared  before  Pharaoh,  and  gave  him 
proofs  of  his  divine  mission.  But  the  heart  of  Plmraoh 
was  hardened,  and  he  refused  to  let  the  IsraeUtes  go.  On 
account  of  this  obstinacy  on  the  part  of  the  king,  God 
sent  ten  great  plagues  upon  Egypt.  He  changed  all  the 
waters  of  the  land  to  blood,  and  brought  frogs,  vermin, 
flies,  murrain,  small-pox,  hail,  locusts,  and  deep  darkness 
all  over  the  country ;  but  Pharaoh  hardened  his  heart  and 
hearkened  not  unto  Moses.  As  long  as  each  plague  lasted, 
he  promised  to  obey  and  permit  the  Israelites  to  depart ; 
but  as  soon  as  it  was  removed,  he  retracted  all  his  prom- 
ises. Then  said  God  :  *'  Yet  will  I  bring  one  plague  more 
upon  Pharaoh  and  upon  Egypt;  afterwards  he  will  let 
you  go.  About  midnight  all  the  first-born  in  the  land  of 
Egypt  shall  die,  from  the  first-born  of  the  king,  even  unto 
the  first-born  of  the  maid-servant  that  is  behind  the  mill, 
but  not  the  least  evil  shall  befall  the  Israelites.  This  one 
plague  I  shall  yet  bring  upon  Pharaoh  and  his  land,  and 
then  he  will  let  you  go.  And  now  prepare  the  last  repast 
in  Egypt!  Kill  every  man  a  lamb,  one  lamb  for  a  house, 
take  of  the  blood  and  sprinkle  it  on  the  two  side-posts 
and  on  the  upper  door-post  of  the  houses,  and  eat  the 
flesh  with  unleavened  bread  and  bitter  herbs;  and  ye 
shall  eat  it  with  your  loins  girded,  your  shoes  on  your 
feet,  and  your  staff  in  your  hand,  to  be  perfectly  ready 
for  a  journey.** 

The  plague  thus  foretold  by  God  was  brought  upon 
Egypt.  In  the  night  of  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  month 
of  Nisan*  all  the  tii*st-born  of  Egypt  died,  from  the  first- 
born of  the  king  even  to  the  cattle.  And  there  was  a 
great  lamentation  throughout  the  land ;  for  there  was  not 
even  one  house  in  which  there  was  not  one  dead.  Only 
the  houses  of  the  Israelites,  in  which  the  Passomr-sacrtjice 
was  brought,  escaped.  Now  the  proud  Pharaoh  h  isteued 
himself  to  Moses  and  requested  him  to  depart  with  all  the 


♦  The  names  of  the  Jewish  months  are  as  follows  :  Msan, 
Ii/ar,  Sivan,  Tamooz,  Ah,  Elool,  Tiskri^  Marheshvan,  Kislev, 
Tebeif  Sliebal,  Adar  and,  (in  a  leap-year, ),  Second  Adar. 


BIBUCAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  45 

people  of  Israel  from  Egypt,  and  take  everything  with 
theia  which  belonged  to  them.  And  the  Egyptians  were 
likewise  urgent  upon  the  people  to  hasten  their  departure, 
for  they  said:  *'  We  shall  be  all  dead  men  I"  They  would 
not  even  leave  them  sufficient  time  to  leaven  the  dough 
prepared  for  bread,  so  that  the  Israelites  were  compelled 
to  take  it  with  them  unleavened  and  unbaked,  lest  they 
were  without  food  at  the  very  beginning  of  their  journey. 

Thus  God  delivered  them  from  their  bondage.  About  six 
hundred  thousand  men,  that  could  bear  arms,  left  Egypt, 
and  with  them  a  great  number  of  mixed  people,  beside 
large  flocks  and  herds,  after  they  had  suffered  under  cruel 
bondage  almost  two  hundred  years.  Notwithstanding  the 
great  haste  in  which  the  Israelites  departed  from  Egypt, 
Moses  did  not  forget  to  take  the  bones  of  Joseph  with  liim. 
At  the  command  of  God,  they  journeyed  towards  the  Red 
Sea.  God  also  commanded  the  Israelites  to  commemorate 
their  delivery  from  Egypt  every  year,  for  all  times,  by  the 
celebration  of  the  Festival  of  Passover^  and  to  eat  unleav- 
ened bread  {Mazoth)  during  the  seven  days  of  this  festival. 


§  31.     The  Destruction  of  Pharaoh.     [Exodus  xiv.] 

The  chastisements  ot  God  struck  Pharaoh  and  the 
Egyptians  only  with  transient  dread,  but  did  not  effect 
their  complete  improvement.  The  Israelites  had  not  yet 
made  many  day's  journey  from  Egypt,  when  the  king  re- 
gretted their  departure  and  started  upon  their  pursuit,  to 
drive  them  back  into  bondage.  Not  far  from  the  Red 
Sea  he  overtook  them.  The  Israelites  were  in  great  danger; 
before  them  was  the  sea,  behind  them  the  pursuing  enemy, 
and  to  their  right  and  left  they  saw  steep  rocks.  Moses 
comforted  theinT  in  their  fright,  saying :  ''  Fear  not,  trust 
in  the  help  of  God,  He  shall  fight  for  you ;  to-day  you 
shall  once  more  see  the  Egyptians,  and  ye  shall  see  them 
no  more  forever."  In  the  name  of  God  he  then  stretched 
forth  his  staff  over  the  sea,  and  a  strong  east  wind  began 
to  blow,  and  made  the  sea  dry  land,  and  the  waters  wei  e 
divided.  Now  the  children  of  Israel  passed  through  the 
midst  of  the  sea  upon  the  dry  ground,  and  the  waters  were 


4G  BIBLICAL    HISTOKY    FOR   ISRAJiUTlbH    SCHOOLS. 

a  wall  unto  them  on  their  right  hand  and  on  their  left. 
They  had  already  reached  the  opposite  shores,  when  the 
Egyptians  hastened  after  them  in  blind  pursuit.  But  Moses 
ag;iin,  at  the  command  of  God,  stretched  forth  his  staff 
over  tho  sea,  the  waves  returned  and  buried  the  chariots 
and  the  horsemen,  and  all  the  host  of  Pharaoh  that  came 
into  the  sea  after  them ;  not  even  one  man  escaped. 

When  the  Israehtes  saw  the  Egyptians  dead  upon  the 
sea-shore,  the  people  feared  the  Eternal,  and  believed  both 
Him  and  his  Servant  Moses  ;  then  sang  Moses  and  the 
children  of  Israel  a  song  of  thanks  and  praise  unto  the 
Eternal.  And  Miriam  also,  the  sister  of  Aaron,  took  a 
timbrel  in  her  hand,  and  sang  with  all  the  women :  ''Sing 
ye  unto  the  Eternal,  for  He  is  high  and  exalted  j  the  horso 
and  his  rider  hath  he  thrown  into  the  seal** 


§  32.   The  Proclamation  of  the  Law  on  Mount  Sinal 
[Exodus  XX.] 

From  the  Red  Sea  the  Israelites  moved  towards  the 
desert,  a  desolate  and  uninhabited  country.  They  intended 
thence  to  go  to  Canaan,  where  their  forefathers  had  so- 
journed, and  which  God  had  promised  to  give  them  for  an 
inheritance.  In  the  third  month  after  their  departure  from 
Egypt,  the  Israelites  came  to  the  wilderness  of  Mount 
SiNAi  and  encamped  there.  Here  God  said  unto  Moses: 
♦*  Tims  shalt  thou  say  to  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  proclaim 
to  the  children  of  Israel :  *  Ye  have  seen  what  I  did  unto 
the  Egyptians,  and  how  I  bare  you  as  upon  the  protecting 
wings  of  an  eagle,  and  brought  you  hither.  Now,  there- 
fore, if  ye  will  obey  my  commandments,  ye  shall  be  a  pecu- 
liar possession  unto  me,  though  the  whole  earth  is  mine. 
And  ye  shall  be  unto  me  a  Kingdom  of  Priests,  and 
a  Holy  Nation.'  These  are  the  words  which  thou  shalt 
speak  unto  the  children  of  Israel."  Moses  then  called  the 
elders  of  the  people  together,  and  communicated  these 
words  to  them.  The  whole  people  answered  together, 
exclaiming :  "  All  that  the  Eternal  hath  spoken  we  will 
do."  Now  God  spoke  to  Moses  furthermore,  saying: 
*^  Tell  the  children  of  Israel  that  they  should  sanctify  them- 


BIBLICAX  HISTORT  FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  47 

selves,  wash  their  clothes,  and  be  prepared  for  the  third 
day.  And  on  the  third  day,  they  shall  appear  at  the  foot 
of  the  mountain."  And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  third  day, 
that  there  were  heavy  thunders  and  lightnings,  and  a  thick 
cloud  upon  the  mount,  and  the  sound  of  the  cornet  was 
heard,  growing  more  and  more  powerful.  Fear  seized 
upon  all  the  people ;  the  whole  mountain  stood  in  flames, 
smoked,  and  quaked.  Then  all  was  silent  again,  and  the 
voice  of  God  spoke  distinctly,  as  follows: 

1.  I  am  the  Eternal  thy  God^  who  hath  brought  thee 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  from  the  house  of  bondage. 

2.  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me.  Thou  shall 
not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or  any  likeness  of 
any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  that  is  on  the  earth 
beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the  earth  ;  thou  shalt 
not  bow  down  before  them,  nor  worship  them;  for  I,  the 
Eternal  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  guilt  of 
the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth 
generation  of  them  that  hate  me  ;  but  shoioing  mercy  unto 
thousands  of  them  that  love  me  and  keep  my  command- 
ments. 

3.  Thou  shalt  not  utter  the  name  of  the  Eternal  thy  God 
unto  falsehood;  for  the  Eternal  will  not  let  him  go  unpun- 
ished  who  utter  eth  His  name  unto  falsehood. 

4.  Remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days 
shalt  thou  labor  and  do  all  thy  work;  but  the  seventh  day 
is  a  day  of  rest  unto  the  Eternal  thy  God.  On  it  thou  shalt 
do  no  manner  of  work,  thou  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter, 
thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor 
the  stranger  that  sojourneth  within  thy  gates.  For  in  six 
days  the  Eternal  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea  and  all 
that  in  them,  is,  and  rested  on  the  seventh  day ;  therefore 
God  blessed  the  Sabbath-day  and  hallowed  it. 

5.  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may 
last  long  in  the  land  which  the  Eternal  thy  God  giveth 
thee 

6.  Thou  shalt  not  murder. 


48  BIBLICAL   UISTOKY    FOU    iSRAKf.rri^q    BCUOULfl. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

9.  Thou  shalt  not  testify  against  thy  neighbor  as  a 
false  witness. 

10.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor'' s  house^  thou  shalt 
not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his 
m^aidrservant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing  thoM 
is  thy  neig/ibor's. 

All  the  people  heard  these  words  and  said  trembling 
and  fearing:  ''All  that  the  Lord  hath  spoken  we  will  do, 
and  we  will  obey  him."  {Origin  of  the  Festival  of  thb 
Weeks.) 


§  33.    The    Israelites   worshipfinq  the  Golden  Calf. 

[Genesis  ixxii.] 

Shortly  after  the  proclamation  of  the  Law,  God  spoke 
to  Moses,  saying :  **  Come  up  to  me  into  the  mount,  and  I 
will  give  thee  tables  of  stone,  and  laws,  and  command- 
ments, which  I  have  written."  And  Moses  rose  up,  and 
went  up  into  the  mount  of  God,  entered  the  cloud,  and 
tarried  there,  and  remained  there  forty  days  and  forty 
nights.  Impatient  of  the  long  absence  of  Moses,  and  be- 
lieving that  Moses  must  have  died,  the  people  said  to 
Aaron :  '*  Make  us  gods,  for  we  know  not  what  is  become 
of  that  man  Moses  who  brought  us  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt."  Aaron  had  not  sufficient  courage  to  resist  the 
demands  of  the  people,  and  made  for  them  a  golden  calf, 
which  they  worshipped,  exclaiming:  "  These  are  thy  gods, 
O  Israel  I  that  brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  ot*  Egypt!" 
Wlien  Moses  came  down  from  the  mountain  he  saw  with 
horror  that  the  people  had  forsaken  their  God  to  worsliip 
an  idol,  and  was  seized  with  such  holy  indignation,  that 
he  Cixst  down  the  tables  of  stone  which  he  Imd  received 
from  God»  and  broke  them  before  their  feet  He  then 
boldly  stepped  amidst  the  apostate  Israelites,  took  tlie 
golden  ciilf  from  before  their  eyes,  destroyed  it,  and  com- 
manded the  tribe  of  Levi,  that  had  alone  remained  true  lo 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOB   ISBAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  4:9 

the  God  of  Israel,  to  punish  the  Idolaters.  They  slew 
about  three  thousand  of  the  calf -worshippers.  On  the 
following  morning,  howevei',  Moses  said  unto  the  people : 
"Ye  have  committed  a  great  sin ;  and  now  I  will  go  up 
unto  God  and  invoke  his  forgiveness  upon  you."  And  he 
prayed  to  God :  "  O  Lord  1  forgive  the  people !  If  not,  blot 
me,  I  pray  thee,  out  of  Thy  book."  And  the  Lord  said 
unto  Moses :  "  Whoever  hath  sinned  against  me,  him  will 
I  blot  out  of  my  book.  Yet,  I  have  pardoned  the  people 
according  to  thy  word."  Moses  was  so  full  of  grateful 
veneration  for  the  goodness  of  God,  that  he  felt  the  ardent 
desire  still  more  to  know  Him,  and  prayed:  "O  God!  If 
I  have  found  grace  in  Thy  eyes,  show  me  Thy  ways,  that 
I  may  know  the."  Then  said  God :  "  No  man  can  ever 
have  a  perfect  conception  of  my  being ;  but  know,  God  is 
eternal,  unchangeable^  almighty,  merciful,  gracious,  long^ 
suffering,  full  of  love  and  truth,  preserving  his  mercy  even 
for  thousands,  forgiving  iniquity,  transgression  and  sin, 
hut  perwjitting  no  guilt  to  go  unpunished.^''  Hereupon  God 
gave  Moses  two  new  tables  of  stone  and  dismissed  him. 
When  Moses  came  down  from  the  mountain  to  the  people, 
his  countenance  shone  with  such  a  brilliant  halo,  that  he' 
had  to  put  on  a  veil,  because  the  people  were  afraid  to 
approach  him. 


§  34.  RiTUAX  Institutions — The  Tabernacle  of  the 
Covenant  —  The  Priests  —  The  Levites.  [Exodus 
XXV. -xL] 

The  Eternal  spoke  to  Moses,  saying :  "  Speak  unto  the 
children  of  Israel,  that  they  bring  me  an  offering :  of  every 
man  that  giveth  it  willingly  with  his  heart,  ye  shall  take 
it,  gold,  silver,  brass,  purple,  fine  linen,  skins,  furs,  oil, 
spices,  and  jewels,  and  let  them  make  me  a  sanctuary  after 
the  pattern  thai  I  shall  show  thee,  that  I  may  dwell  amongst 
them."  Moses  did  as  God  had  commanded  him,  and 
behold!  far  more  offerings  were  brought  than  were 
required. 

Israelites  skillful  in  all  manner  of  workmanship,  imme- 
diately began  to  build   the   Holy  Tabernacle.     The  whoi© 

5 


60  BIBLIOAX   HISTORY   TOR  ISRAELITISH  SCHOOLS. 

was  thirty  cubits  long,  ten  cubits  broad,  and  ten  cubits 
high,  constructed  of  forty -eij^ht  boards  of  shittim  wood 
covered  with  gold.  These  boards  were  held  together  by 
five  gilded  bars,  passing  through  five  golden  rings  fixed  on 
each  of  the  boards.  Four  coverings  were  spread  over  the 
Tabernacle,  one  above  the  other.  At  the  entrance  of  the 
Tabernacle  was  a  curtain  of  blue,  and  scarlet,  and  purple, 
of  fine  twined  linen,  wrought  with  needlework. 

The  inside  of  the  Tabernacle  consisted  of  two  apartments. 
The  first  of  these,  called  the  Holy  Place^  was  much  more 
spacious  than  the  second,  called  the  Holy  of  Holies,  or 
Most  Holy  Place.  In  the  Holy  Place  stood :  The  Table 
of  Skew-Bread,  the  Golden  Candlestick,  and  the  Altar  oj 
Incense. 

Upon  the  Table  of  Shew-bread,  called  also  the  Golden 
Table,  because  it  was  overlaid  with  gold,  lay,  in  two 
piles,  the  twelve  loaves  of  unleavened  bread,  (shew-bread, 
d^'iSn  tpnb)  which  were  changed  eveiy  Sabbath 

The  ir olden  Candlestick  had  seven  arras ;  upon  the  top 
of  each  was  placed  a  lamp,  filled  with  holy  oil,  and  kept 
perpetually  burning. 

The  Altar  of  Incen%e  was  made  of  shittim  wood  and 
plated  with  gold,  one  cubit  in  length,  the  same  in  breadth, 
and  two  cubits  in  height.  Upon  this  altar  sweet  incense 
was  burnt  every  morning  and  evening. 

In  the  Holy  of  Holies,  which  was  completely  dark,  stood 
the  Ark  of  tlie  Covenant.  It  was  a  kind  of  chest,  made  of 
shittim  wood,  and  covered  within  and  without  with  gold 
Its  lid  was  of  purest  gold,  and  two  Cherubim,  made  of 
solid  gold,  was  placed  on  the  two  ends,  their  faces  turned 
towards  each  other.  In  this  ark  tho  two  tables  of  stone 
were  kept. 

The  Holy  Tabernacle  was  surrounded  by  an  outer  in- 
closure,  called  The  Court  of  the  Tabernacle,  one  hundred 
cubits  long  and  fifty  broad,  supported  by  columns  which 
rested  on  sockets  of  brass,  and  were  connected,  on  theii 
tops,  by  means  of  rods,  from  which  cuitains  were  sus- 
pended. Within  this  enclosure,  in  the  open  air  stood  the 
Altar  of  Burnt  Offerings,  upon  which  the  sacrificial  ani- 
mals were  burned   and  sacred  fire  was  continually  kept 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  61 

burning.  Besides  this  altar,  the  Brazen  Laver  for  the  use 
of  the  Priests  stood  in  the  Court  of  the  Tabernacle. 

God  spoke  further  to  Moses,  saying ;  "  Take  Aaron  and 
his  sons,  have  holy  garments  made  for  them,  and  conse- 
crate them  for  me  to  be  my  priests."  In  obedience  to 
this  command,  Moses  called  the  whole  people  together, 
brought  Aaron  and  his  sons  before  them,  and  caused 
Aaron  to  be  washed.  Hereupon  he  had  him  clothed  with 
the  Coat  or  Tunic,  reaching  down  to  his  ankles ;  the  Upper 
Garment,  or  the  robe  of  the  ephod,  which  reached  down  to 
his  knees,  and  had  upon  the  hem  of  its  lower  part  little 
bells  of  gold  and  pomegranates  in  needlework ;  above  it 
he  placed  the  Ephod,  the  Girdle,  and  the  Breastplate  with 
twelve  precious  stones,  with  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes 
engraven  upon  them.  He  then  put  the  Mitre  upon  his 
head,  and  on  the  front  of  it  he  placed  the  Golden  Plate, 
with  the  inscription.  Holy  unto  the  Eternal!  After  hav- 
ing attired  Aaron  in  these  sacred  garments,  he  anointed 
him  to  be  the  High-Priest,  and  his  sons  to  be  the  Priests 
of  God.  The  members  of  the  tribe  of  Levi — the  Lemte^ 
— were  appointed  to  be  ministers  in  the  service  of  the 
Sanctuary,  and  received  the  Tithes  of  all  fruits  for  their 
sustenance ;  for  they  were  excluded  from  the  general  dis- 
tribution of  the  promised  land. 

Moses  next  communicated,  according  to  the  command 
of  God,  the  laws  concerning  the  sacrifices  to  the  people. 
These  could  be  offered  only  in  the  sanctuary,  and  through 
the  medium  of  the  priests.  The  sacrifices  consisted  of 
wine  and  oil,  of  baked  meats  and  such  animals  which  were 
declared  clean  and  free  from  all  bodily  defect  and  blemish. 
Every  morning  and  evening  a  lamb  was  to  be  offered 
upon  the  altar  of  the  sanctuary.  For  the  Sabbaths  and 
Festivals  especial  sacrifices  were  instituted,  as  also  for 
particular  occasions :  Sin,  Trespass  and  Peace  Ojferings, 
Besides  these,  Free-  Will  Offerings  of  individuals  were 
admitted.  The  manner  of  offering  was  different  for  the 
different  sacrifices,  and  very  minutely  described  in  the 
law.  The  most  solemn  sacrifice  was  that  instituted  for 
the  Day  of  Atonement,  which  was  a  day  of  general  ex- 
piation for  the  whole  people.  On  this  day  the  High-Priest 
had  first  to  offer  a  siu-offerinff  for  himself — for  even  the 


52  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

chief  amongst  the  priests  is  not  free  from  sin — and  then 
another  for  the  whole  people.  He  then  took  the  blood, 
entered  the  Holy  of  Holies — the  only  time  throughout  the 
year — sprinkled  it  upon  the  lid  of  the  Ark,  prayed,  and 
blessed  the  Congregation. 

Besides  the  laws  concerning  the  sacrifices,  a  large  num- 
ber of  other  ritual  statutes  were  proclaimed,  and  may  bo 
found  in  the  Books  of  Moses. 


§  35.    The  Rebellions  op  the  People,  causej«  bt  their 
Hardships  in  the  Wh.deuness. 

The  Israelites  did  not  bear  with  patience  the  hardships 
of  their  wandering  in  the  desert,  but  lost,  on  every  occa- 
sion, all  confidence  in  God,  murmured,  whenever  they 
suffered  from  want,  and  then  expressed  the  wish  that  they 
would  prefer  returning  into  their  former  bondage  in  Egypt. 
On  all  these  occasions,  Moses  was  subjected  to  the  most 
harrasing  and  bitter  reproaches.  But  God  regarded  with 
paternal  love  their  want  of  courage  and  base  inclinations, 
and  provided  them  in  the  most  miraculous  way,  with  all 
the  necessaries  of  life.  But  ignorant  men  seldom  appre- 
ciate the  benefits  bestowed  upon  them  by  others  ;  only  the 
educated  are  obedient  and  thoughtful.  When  the  children 
of  Israel  came  to  Marah,  they  could  not  drink  the  bitter 
waters  of  that  place,  and  began,  for  this  reason,  to  murmur 
against  Moses.  Moses  cast  a  piece  of  wood  into  the  water 
and  the  water  was  at  once  made  sweet 

Some  time  aflerwards,  when  the  Israelites  were  without 
food,  they  murmured  against  Moses  and  Aaron,  and  wished 
themselves  back  to  the  flesh-pots  and  the  bread  of  Egy|)t. 
Then  said  Moses  unto  them :  "  Why  do  you  miinnur 
against  me  and  Aaron  t  Is  it  not  God  that  brought  you 
out  from  Egypt?  But  trust  in  Him  and  He  will  help  you!" 
On  the  following  morning,  the  dew  covered  the  surface  of 
the  desert,  and  when  it  was  gone,  ''  there  lay  a  small  round 
thing,  as  small  as  the  hoar  frost  upon  the  ground."  When 
the  children  of  Israel  saw  it,  they  asked  one  another : 
"What  is  thati  (jj^]n  ^f2^  Moses  replied  to  them:  ''This 
is  the  heavenly  bread  which  God  had  givea  you  to  eat 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  53 

i3(i*viier  it  every  morning  except  on  Sabbath;  let  none 
leave  his  house  on  the  Sabbath  day  to  gather  it,  for  it  will 
not  be  found;  but  on  the  sixth  day,  let  every  man  gather 
twice  as  much  as  on  any  other  day."  With  this  bread, 
which  the  Israelites  called  Manna^  they  were  fed  forty 
years,  and  Aaron  took  a  pot  full  of  it  and  kept  it  in 
the  Sanctuary  for  a  perpetual  memorial  of  the  provident 
goodness  of  God. 

Shortly  afterwards,  the  Israelites  murmured  again 
against  Moses,  saying:  "Who  shall  give  us  ^esA  to  eat  ? 
We  remember  the  fish  which  we  did  eat  in  Egypt  freely, 
the  cucumbers,  and  the  melons,  and  the  leeks,  and  the 
onions,  and  the  garlic.  But  now  our  soul  is  dried  away ; 
there  is  nothing  at  all,  besides  this  Manna,  before  our 
«yes."  When  Moses  heard  these  words  he  was  sorely 
grieved.  But  God  spoke  to  him,  saying :  "  Ye  shall  get 
flesh  to  eat,  not  for  one  day,  not  for  two  days,  not  for  five 
days,  nor  for  ten  day^  nor  for  twenty  days;  but  even  a 
*vhole  month,  until  it  come  out  of  your  nostrils,  and  it  be 
loathsome  unto  you."  Moses  could  not  conceive  the  possi- 
bility of  such  a  help,  and  said:  "The  people  among  whom 
I  am,  are  six  hundred  thousand  footmen ;  and  Thou  hast 
said :  '  I  will  give  them  flesh,  that  they  may  eat  a  whole 
mouth.'  Shall  the  flocks  and  the  herds  be  slain  for  them, 
to  suffice  them  ?  Or  shall  all  the  fish  of  the  sea  be  gathered 
together  for  them,  to  suffice  them  f  And  the  Eternal  said 
to  Moses:  "Is  the  hand  of  the  Eternal  waxed  too  short? 
Thou  shalt  see  now  whether  my  word  shalt  come  to  pass 
unto  thee  or  not."  God  then  sent  a  wind  which  brought 
quails  from  the  sea  in  such  large  numbers  that  they  lay 
two  cubits  high  upon  the  ground.  And  the  people  gath- 
ered them  all  thai  day,  and  all  that  night,  and  all  the  next 
day,  and  dried  them  round  about  the  camp.  But  many 
who  seized  the  quails  too  greedily  and  ate  too  great  a 
number  of  them,  died  in  consequence  of  their  intemper- 
ance, and  were  buried  in  that  place,  which  received  the 
name  Kibroth-hattaavaJi^  {the  Graves  of  Lust) 

On  another  occasion,  the  Israelites  suffered  from  want 
of  water,  and  murmured  against  Moses,  saying:  "Would 
God  that  we  had  died  in  Egypt.  Why  have  ye  brought 
us  into  this  wilderness,  where  neither  figs,  no  vines,  nor 


54  BIBUCAL    HISTORY   FOB  ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS. 

poniegranates  grow,  where  there  is  not  even  water  to 
drink,  and  we  and  our  cattle  must  die  ?"  At  the  com- 
mand of  God,  Moses  gathered  all  the  Israelites,  brought 
them  before  a  rock,  took  his  rod,  smote  the  rock  twice 
with  it,  and  the  water  gushed  forth  in  great  abundance, 
BO  that  the  people  could  drink  to  their  heart's  content. 

At  some  other  time,  the  Israelites  were  visited  also  by 
serpents.  Moses  prayed  to  God  in  behalf  of  the  peoi)le, 
and  the  Eternal  informed  him  how  to  remove  the  evil. 
Moses  made  a  serpent  of  brass,  suspended  it  upon  a  pole, 
and  every  one  who  looked  upwards  towards  tluB  serpent 
of  brass — looked  up  to  God — was  saved. 


§   36.      dlfficultnem      arisino      from     rebellions     op 
Individual  Isbaeutes 

Not  alone  the  whole  people  often  manifested  their  dis- 
content and  rebellious  spirit  during  their  sojourn  in  tho 
desert,  but  even  individual  Israelites  of  high  rank  grossly 
sinned  against  God  and  Moses. 

Korah^  DaXhan^  Ahiram,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty 
other  Ifcraelites,  dissatisfied  with  the  distribution  of  the 
offices,  entered  into  a  conspiracy  against  Moses  and  Aaron, 
saying:  "Wherefore  lift  ye  up  yourselves  above  the  con- 
gregation of  the  Eternal  ?  The  whole  congregation  is  holy; 
why  then  do  you  presume  to  be  better  than  the  rest  I 
Moses  stepped  up  to  them  and  endeavored  to  pacify  them 
by  soft  words.  But  in  vain.  Then  a  fire  came  from  heaven 
and  consumed  these  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  while  the 
earth  opened  and  swallowed  alive  Korah  and  the  other 
ringleaders.  When  the  Israelites  saw  this,  they  cried 
aloud  and  fled.  But  the  next  morning,  they  again  mur- 
mured against  Moses  and  Aaron,  for  they  thought  that 
these  had  caused  the  death  of  the  rebels.  This  renewed 
rebellion  brought  upon  them  a  destructive  pestilence,  which 
carried  away  fourteen  thousand  seven  hundred  persons. 
Aaron  went  quickly  among  the  congregation,  with  the 
censer  in  his  hand,  to  propitiate  God,  and  thus  stay  the 
ravages  of  the  pestilence.  Hereupon  God  confirmed  Aaron, 
by  means  of  the  following  mii-acle,  in  his  office  a^  iiigh» 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  55, 

priest.  Moses  commanded  that  thirteen  rods,  one  for 
each  tribe,  with  the  names  of  the  several  princes  of  the 
tribes  inscribed  upon  them,  should  be  laid  up  in  the  taber- 
nacle, that  of  the  tribe  of  Levi  bearing  the  name  of  Aaron. 
On  the  following  morning  it  was  discovered  that  Aaron's 
rod  alone  budded,  bloomed,  and  yielded  almonds.  The 
Israelites  perceived  from  this  sign  that  Aaron  was  the 
chosen  high-priest  of  the  Eternal.  Henceforth,  the  rod  of 
Aaron  was  kept  near  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  as  a  per- 
petual warning  for  the  rebels. 

At  some  other  time,  even  Aaron  and  Miriam  spoke 
against  Moses,  because  he  had  married  a  stranger,  saying : 
"  God  speaketh  also  through  us,  not  alone  through  Moses." 
This  repugnance  of  the  nearest  relatives  of  Moses  provoked 
the  wrath  of  God,  who  said:  '*are  ye  not  afraid  to  speak 
against  my  faithful  servant  Moses  f  and  Miriam  was  im- 
mediately punished  with  leprosy.  When  Aaron  saw  her, 
he  became  afraid  and  implored  Moses  for  forgiveness,  both 
in  his  own  and  his  sister's  behalf  Moses  prayed  to  God 
for  her,  and  God  pardoned  her ;  but  she  was  shut  out  from 
the  camp  seven  days,  and  then  only  she  was  received  in 
again. 

The  law  concerning  the  Sabbath  was  deemed  too  heavy 
a  burden  by  several  Israelites.  In  spite  of  God's  prohibi- 
tion, some  went  out  on  that  day  to  gather  Manna.  Mosea 
reproached  them,  saying:  "How  long  do  you  refuse  to 
keep  God's  commandments?  Behold  I  the  Eternal  hath 
given  you  the  Sabbath,  therefore  He  giveth  you  on  the 
sixth  day  the  bread  for  two  days."  Another  man,  how- 
ever, who  was  found  gathering  wood  on  the  Sabbath  day, 
was  stoned  to  death,  at  the  command  of  God,  without  the 
camp,  before  the  whole  congregation. 


§  37.      Wars  with  Neighboring  Nations. 

Shortly  after  the  Israelites  had  entered  the  wilderness, 
th3y  were  attacked  by  the  AmaleJcites.  Moses  intrusted 
the  command  in  this  struggle  to  his  gallant  and  faithful 
servant  Joshua.  He  himself  went  upon  a  hill  and  uplifted 
his  hands  in  fervent  prayer  to  God.     The  Israehtes  having 


56  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOL3. 

Moses  all  the  time  before  their  eyes,  felt  inspired  for  the 
contest,  and  fought  bravely  and  victoriously,  as  long  as 
they  beheld  his  hands  raised  towards  heaven.  When  the 
victory  was  gained,  Moses  erected  an  altar  and  called  it : 
"  God  (is)  my  banner!''' 

Jethro^  Moses'  father-in-law,  having  heard  of  this  victory 
and  all  the  miracles  which  God  had  wrought  through 
Moses,  went  with  Zipporah,  the  wife  of  Moses,  and  their 
two  sons,  to  the  camp  of  the  Israelites.  Moses  rejoiced 
at  their  arrival,  brought  them  into  his  tent,  told  Jethro  all 
that  God  had  already  done  for  his  people.  Jethro  deeply 
moved  by  the  narrative,  exclaimed :  "  Now  I  know  that 
the  Eternal  is  mightier  than  all  the  gods.  On  the  following 
day,  Moses  sat  to  judge  the  people  from  morning  unto  the 
evening.  When  Jethro  saw  this,  he  said  to  him ;  ''  The 
thing  that  thou  doest  is  not  good.  Thou  wilt  surely  wear 
away,  both  thou  and  the  people;  for  this  thing  is  too 
heavy  for  thee ;  thou  art  not  able  to  perform  it  thyself 
alone.  Follow  my  counsel :  teach  the  people  good  laws 
and  ordinances,  and  show  them  distinctly  what  they  should 
do.  Moreover,  provide  out  of  all  the  people,  able  and 
honest  men,  who  fear  God,  men  of  truth  and  hating  selfish- 
ness. Make  these  rulers  over  thousands,  over  hundreds, 
over  fifties,  and  over  tens,  and  let  only  the  most  impartarU 
matters  be  brought  before  thyself"  Moses  obeyed  the 
advice  of  his  father-in-law,  and  shortly  afterwards  dismis- 
sed him  again  to  his  own  horaa 

When  the  Israelites,  alter  wandering  forty  years  through 
the  desert,  approached  the  land  of  i]dom^  which  was  in- 
habited by  the  descendants  of  Esau,  Moses  sent  messengers 
to  their  king,  with  the  request  to  let  Israel  pass  through 
his  country.  But  this  request  was  rudely  and  abruptly 
refused.  Now  the  Israelites  showed  themselves  more 
generous ;  they  did  not  attack  them,  not  willing,  as  the 
Edomites  were  related  to  them,  to  shed  the  blood  of  their 
brethren,  but  moved  toward  Mount  ZTar,  where  Aaron 
died,  being  123  yeare  old,  and  was  bewailed  and  mourned 
over  by  the  whole  people  of  Israel. 

But  the  Amorites  and  their  king,  Slhon,  were  not  treated 
in  the  same  generous  manner  by  the  Israelites.  When 
they,  too,  would  not  permit  them  to  pass  peaceably  through 


BIBLICAL  mSTORY  FOR  ISBAELITISH  SCHOOLS.  57 

their  country,  they  attacked  the  Israelites,  and  the  latter 
were  compelled,  in  self-defence,  to  •  make  war  upon  them, 
defeated  them,  and  took  possession  of  their  land.  Og^ 
King  of  JBashan,  who  acted  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
King  of  the  Amorites,  brought  the  same  destruction  upon 
his  nation.  The  lands  of  these  kings  were  afterwards  as- 
signed to  the  tribes  of  Reuben  and  6-ad  and  half  the  tribe 
of  Manassehy  under  the  condition  however,  that  they 
should  go  with  their  brethren  over  the  Jordan  and  assist 
them  in  the  conquest  of  Canaan.  Near  the  boundary  of 
this  country,  Moses  and  Eleazar,  who  had  succeeded  his 
father  Aaron  in  the  office  of  high-priest,  numbered  the 
people,  the  men  from  twenty  years  old  and  upward — with 
the  exception  of  the  tribe  of  Levi,  which,  comprising  the 
priests  and  ministers  of  God,  received  no  portion  at  the 
division  of  the  land  of  Canaan — and  found  that  there  were 
six  hundred  and  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty 
men  who  could  bear  arms,  none  of  whom,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Joshua  and  Caleb,  were  amongst  those  that 
Moses  and  Aaron  had  mustered  in  the  wilderness  of  Sinai, 
The  fate  of  the  Amorites  greatly  alarmed  BalaJc,  King 
of  Moab,  when  he  saw  the  approach  of  the  numerous  host 
of  the  Israelites.  In  this  dread,  he  sent  to  a  distant  coun- 
try for  Balaam,  3  renowned  sorcerer,  and  requested  him 
to  curse  Israel,  for  he  believed  that  the  curse  of  this  man 
would  be  fulfilled.  The  messengers  of  the  king  came  to 
Balaam  with  precious  gifts ;  but  when  he  refused  to  com- 
ply with  the  request  of  Balak,  other  messengers  of  still 
higher  rank,  and  bearing  still  more  precious  gifts  were 
sent.  Balaam  again  refused ;  yet,  on  the  following  morn- 
ing he  at  last  consented  and  departed  with  them.  When 
Balak  heard  that  Balaam  was  coming,  he  went  forth  to 
meet  him,  and  then  led  him  to  a  high  eminence,  whence 
he  could  see  the  whole  camp  of  the  Israelites.  Here 
Balaam  caused  the  king  to  build  altars  and  offer  sacrifices. 
Instead,  however,  as  it  was  expected,  of  pronouncing  the 
curse,  Balaam  blessed  Israel.  Balak  then  led  blm  upon 
another  eminence ;  but  he  again  pronounced  a  benediction. 
And  when  the  king  led  the  sorcerer  upon  a  third  emi- 
nence, a  third  blessing  was  pronounced.  *'For,'^  said 
Balaam,  "the  word  that  God  hath  put  in  my  mouth,  thut 


58  BIBIJCAL  HISTOBT  FOE  ISRAEUnSH   SCHOOLS. 

I  have  spoken."  Afterwards  Israel  became  involved  in  a 
war  with  the  Midionites,  and  the  latter  were  defeated,  and 
their  land  taken.  Amoagjit  the  slain  was  also  Balaam  the 
sorcerer. 


§  38.    Moses  sends  Spies  into  Canaan.     The  Close  ob 
Israel's  Wanderings  in  tiie  Wilderness. 

In  the  second  year  after  the  exodus  from  Egypt,  Moses 
gent  spies  to  Canaan,  that  they  might  explore  the  land  and 
report  to  the  Israelites  both  with  regard  to  its  inhabitants 
and  its  fruitfulness.  Twelve  men,  one  ft*om  every  tribe, 
departed  upon  this  expedition.  After  the  lapse  of  forty 
days,  they  returned,  and  reported  as  follows:  "The  land 
which  we  have  explored  is  good  and  fruitful ;  behold  these 
fruits  which  we  have  brought  thence  " — pointing  to  a  large 
cluster  of  grapes  and  other  fruits — *'it  is  a  land  that 
floweth,  as  it  were,  with  milk  and  honey.  But  its  inhabi- 
tants are  giants,  compared  with  whom  we  are  like  grass- 
hoppers." Upon  liearing  these  words,  the  people  became 
greatly  alarmed,  cried  aloud  and  wept  the  whole  night. 
Joshua  and  Caleb,  who  were  among  the  spies,  contradicted 
the  report  of  their  companions,  and  addressed  the  people, 
saying:  "Only  rebel  not  ye  against  the  Eternal,  neither 
fear  ye  the  people  of  the  land,  for  they  are  like  bread  for 
us."  But  the  Israelites  would  not  listen  to  them,  attempted 
even  to  stone  the  speakers  to  death,  and  resolved  to  elect 
a  chief,  and  to  return  to  Egypt.  But  the  Lord  suddenly 
appeared  and  said  unto  Moses:  " How  long  will  this  peo- 
ple provoke  me  ?  And  how  long  will  it  be  ere  they  believe 
me,  notwithstanding  all  the  signs  which  I  have  wrought 
among  them  1  I  will  smite  them  with  the  pestilence  and 
utterly  destroy  them,  and  will  make  of  thee  a  greater 
nation  and  mightier  than  Israel  is."  Now,  upon  this  oc- 
casion Moses  manifested  his  sublime  virtues  and  his  love 
for  his  people.  Ills  happiness  was  of  the  least  concern  to 
him  ;  the  imminent  danger  of  the  destniction  of  his  people 
filled  him  with  profound  grief,  and  he  implored  God  to 
pardon  their  iniquity.  Then  said  the  Lord :  "  I  have 
pardoned  according  to  thy  word.  But  as  truly  as  I  live, 
ail  those  men  who  have  seen  my  miracles  winch  I  did  in 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  59 

Egypt  and  in  the  wilderness,  and  have  tempted  me  now 
these  ten  times,  and  have  not  hearkened  to  my  voice, 
surely  they  shall  not  see  the  land  which  I  swore  unto  their 
fathers,  the  land  of  Canaan,  bui  they  shall  all  die  in  the 
wilderness ;  but  unto  their  children  I  shall  give  it  for  an 
inheritance.  After  the  number  of  the  days  in  which  the 
land  was  searched,  ye  shall  atone  for  your  iniquities  forty 
years,  and  wander  about  in  the  desert.  Only  J^oshua  and 
Caleb,  because  they  have  clung  faithfully  to  me,  they  shall 
come  into  the  promised  land."  Moses  conmiunicated  these 
words  to  the  people,  and  they  mourned  greatly. 

Shortly  before  the  close  of  these  forty  years,  the  Israel- 
ites came  into  the  wilderness  of  Zm,  where  Miriam  died 
and  was  buried. 


§  39.    Moses'  Farewell  Address  to  his  People.      His 
Death.     [Deuteronomy  L-xxxv.j 

When  the  forty  years  were  drawing  to  their  close,  and 
the  time  approached  that  Moses  was  to  die,  he  assembled 
the  whole  people,  and  publicly  and  solemnly  admonished 
them  never  to  depart  trom  the  law  of  God.  "  Ye  shall 
add  nothing  to  it,"  he  continued,  '*  nor  diminish  aught 
from  it,  but  observe  the  commandments  of  the  Eternal 
your  God.  For  this  is  your  wisdom  and  your  understand- 
ing in  the  sight  of  the  nations,  which  shall  hear  all  these 
statutes  and  say :  'Surely  this  great  nation  is  a  wise 
AND  understanding  PEOPLE.'  For  what  nation  is  there 
so  great,  to  which  God  is  nigh,  as  the  Lord  our  God  in 
all  things  for  which  we  call  unto  him  %  And  what  nation 
is  there  so  great,  that  hath  statutes  and  judgments  so 
righteous  as  all  these  laws,  which  I  set  before  you  this 
day  %  Therefore,  forget  not  what  ye  have  heard  and  seen, 
but  relate  it  unto  your  children,  and  your  children's  child- 
ren. Specially  remember  the  day  that  ye  stood  before 
God  on  Sinai,  where  the  Lord  spoke  unto  you  out  of  the 
midst  of  the  fire  and  the  clouds.  For  ask  of  the  days  that 
are  past,  whether  there  hath  ever  been  a  people  that  heard 
the  voice  of  God  as  ye  have  heard ;  or  whether  God  hath 
^yer  chosen  for  himself  a  nation  like  youi-selves,  by  so 


60  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELITISU    SCHOOLS. 

many  wonders,  and  by  war,  and  by  so  mighty  a  hand? 
Thou  hast  seen  it,  that  thou  mightest  know:  the  Lord  be 
YOUR  God,  and  there  is  none  besides  Him  !  Tlie  Lord 
hMh  chosen  you^  not  because  ye  were  more  in  number  than 
any  people,  for  ye  were  the  fewest  of  all  people:  but  because 
the  Eternalloved you,  and  because  He  would  keep  the  oath 
which  He  had  sworn  unto  your  fathers.  And  forget  not 
the  way  which  He  led  you  these  forty  years,  and  gave  you 
bread  to  eat,  and  water  to  drink  in  the  wilderness.  Be- 
hold !  the  heaven  and  the  heaven  of  heavens  are  the  Lord's 
thy  God,  and  the  earth  also  with  all  that  therein  is,  and 
yet  He  hath  chosen  you  to  be  His  peculiar  people.  There- 
fore, be  no  more  stiff-necked.  The  Lord  your  God  is  Lord 
of  Lords,  a  great  God,  mighty  and  terrible,  who  regardeth 
not  persons,  nor  taketh  reward;  who  doth  execute  the 
judgment  of  the  fatherless  and  widow,  and  loveth  the 
stranger,  I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  witness  this  day 
against  you,  that  I  have  set  before  you  life  and  death,  a 
blessing,  if  you  obey  the  commandments  of  God,  and  a 
curse,  if  you  do  not  obey."  And  Moses  said  furthermore 
to  the  children  of  Israel :  "I  am  hundred  and  twenty  years 
old  this  day ;  I  can  no  more  go  out  and  come  in.  Joshua, 
he  shall  henceforth  be  your  leader.  Fear  not,  the  Lord 
will  ever  watch  over  you :  He  will  not  fail  you,  nor  for- 
sake you."  Moses  then  called  unto  Joshua,  and  said  unto 
him,  in  the  sight  of  all  Israel :  "Be  strong  and  of  good 
courage.  Thou  shalt  bring  this  people  into  the  promised 
land,  and  divide  it  among  the  tribes.  Fear  not,  nor  be 
dismayed ;  the  Lord  will  be  with  thee,  He  will  not  forsake 
thee."  Hereupon  Moses  delivered  the  book  of  the  law, 
which  he  had  written,  unto  the  priests,  and  said  to  them : 
"  Take  this  book  of  the  law,  and  put  it  in  the  side  of  the 
Ark  of  the  Covenant  of  the  Lord  your  God,  and  at  the  end 
of  every  seven  years,  in  the  solemnity  of  the  year  of  re- 
lease, on  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles,  ye  shall  read  this  law 
before  all  Israel  in  their  hearing."  Having  closed  this 
speech,  Moses  recited  a  song  which  he  had  written,  and 
left  it  to  the  Israelites  for  a  memento,  took  leave  from  the 
tribes  of  his  people,  blessed  them,  and  went  up  from  the 
plains  of  Moab  to  the  Mountain  of  Kebo,  to  the  top  ol 
JPisgah,  that  is  over   agaiast  Jericho.     There  the  Eternal 


BIBUCAJL  mSTOUt  FOB  IBHART.ITISH  SCHOOLS.  CI 

showed  him  the  whole  land  of  Canaan,  and  said  :  "  Thia 
is  the  land  which  I  have  sworn  unto  the  descendants  oi 
Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob.  I  hare  caused  thee  to  see  it 
with  thine  eyes,  but  thou  shalt  not  go  over  thither."  The 
sight  of  the  beautiful  land  filled  the  soul  of  the  great 
prophet  with  delight ;  he  thanked  God  for  the  love  shown 
unto  his  people,  closed  his  eyes,  and  fell  asleep  to  awake 
in  the  promised  land  of  eternity.  Such  is  the  death  of  the 
champion  of  Virtue ;  his  last  thoughts  are  engaged  with 
the  happiness  of  his  beloved  ones — his  last  wish  is  the 
salvation  of  mankind. 

Moses  was  one  hundred  and  twenty  years  old  when  he 
died ;  his  eye  was  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  strength  abated. 
There  arose  no  other  prophet  like  Moses,  who  knew  God 
so  clearly,  and  to  whom  God  so  often  and  so  Dfianifestly 
revealed  Himself  He  was  buried  in  the  valley  near  the 
mountain  where  he  died ,  but  no  mau  kitawa  4bia  jd^fia  of 
lus  graY%  QveiL  to  i)m  dd/^ 


62         BiBucAi,  msxoitr  jfoa  iskaixixisu  scuooja 


17. 

ISRAEL  AS  A  NATIOIT. 

A.    Joshua.—The  Judges. 


§  40   Joshua. — The  Conquest  op  Canaan.     [Tlie  Book 
of  Joshua  i.]     2533  A.M. 

God's  promise  to  give  the  Israelites  the  land  of  Canaan, 
was  now  brought  to  its  fullillnient.  After  the  death  of 
Moses,  God  said  to  J^oshmu  the  disciple  and  chosen  suc- 
cessor of  the  great  prophet,  and  who  was  a  better  warrior 
than  his  master :  "  My  servant  Moses  is  dead ;  now  there- 
fore,  arise,  go  over  this  Jordan,  tliou  and  all  this  people, 
unto  the  land  which  I  give  to  you.  As  I  was  with  Moses, 
80  I  will  be  with  thee.  Be  strong  and  of  good  courage, 
and  let  this  book  of  the  law  not  depart  from  thy  mouth ; 
do  not  depart  from  the  law  of  Closes,  either  to  the  right 
hand  or  to  the  left;  then  thou  shalt  have  success  in  all 
that  thou  undertakest."  Joshua  at  once  made  ready,  to- 
gether with  his  people  to  march  upon  Canaan.  Prudent 
as  he  was,  he  sent,  before  he  marched  forth,  two  men  as 
spies  into  the  land,  to  survey  it  When  they  returned 
with  favorable  and  encouraging  reports,  he  broke  up  with 
his  people  to  invade  Canaan.  On  the  opposite  side  of 
Jordan  he  erected  a  monument  of  twelve  stones,  in  com- 
memoration of  his  haj)py  passage  over  the  river,  and  then 
continued  his  march  towards  Jericho.  Jericho  was  so 
stroii^ly  fortified,  that  no  one  could  go  in  or  come  out. 
But  God  gave  tliis  city  into  the  hands  of  the  Israelites 
without  battle  ;  its  inhnbitauts  were  put  to  death,  and  all 
their  silver  and  gold,  and  vessels  of  brass  and  iron  were 
consecrated  unto  God.     Achan^   who  had  secretly  taken 


BIBFJCAL    HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  63 

eome  of  the  booty  to  himself,  was  stoned  to  death  for  this 
trespass. 

The  Israelites  then  marched  upon  Ai  and  captured  also 
this  city.  After  the  capture  of  Ai,  Joshua  erected  an 
altar  on' Mount  ^bal,  and  read  the  whole  law  before  the 
people.  There  was  not  a  word  of  all  that  Moses  had  com- 
manded which  Joshua  did  not  fulfill.  The  Levites  spoke 
with  a  loud  voice  before  all  the  people:  "Cursed  be  the 
man  that  maketh  any  idol  and  worshipped  it !"  and  all 
the  people  said,  "  Amen  !"  "  Cursed  be  he  that  disgraceth 
his  father  or  mother  1"  and  all  the  people  said:  "Amen!" 
*'  Cursed  be  he  that  removeth  his  neighbor's  land-mark !" 
and  the  whole  people  said,  "Amen  !"  "  Cursed  be  he  that 
maketh  the  blind  to  lose  his  way!"  and  all  the  people  s^iid, 
"Amen!"  "Cursed  be  the  man  that  perverteth  the  judg- 
ment of  the  stranger,  the  fatherless  and  the  widow!"  and 
fill  the  people  said,  "  Amen!" 

Hereupon,  the  war,  which  the  Israelites  carried  on  with 
great  courage  and  bravery,  was  continued  seven  years, 
during  which  they  conquered  thirty  small  kingdoms.  The 
inhabitants  of  Canaan,  with  whom  God  was  greatly  dis- 
pleased on  account  of  their  sins  and  idolatry,  resisted  in 
vain  with  all  the  strength  of  despair ;  they  were  defeated, 
and  either  fell  during  the  contest,  or  were  compelled  to 
flee  and  seek  another  home.  The  small  tribe  of  the  Gibeon- 
ites  escaped  by  a  cimning  stratagem.  Some  men  with  torn 
shoes  and  mouldy  bread  appeared  before  Joshua,  describ- 
ing themselves  as  coming  from  a  far  distant  country,  and 
imploring  him  to  make  a  treaty  of  peace  with  tiiem. 
Joshua,  regarding  their  garments  and  whole  conduct  as  a 
confirmation  of  their  words,  unhesitatingly  complied  with 
their  request,  and  concluded  with  them  a  treaty  of  peace. 
But  soon  he  found  that  he  had  been  imposed  upon,  those 
men  proving  to  have  been  sent  by  the  Gibeonites.  Never- 
theless, he  did  not  treat  them  as  enemies,  but  kept  his  oath 
sacred.  Moreover,  when  the  Gibeonites  were  attacked 
by  five  neighboring  princes,  the  Israelites,  faithful  to  their 
treaty,  came  to  their  aid,  and  defeated  their  enemies. 

Joshua  made  also  arrangements  with  the  view  of  pre- 
serving the  ceremonial  observances  connected  with  divine 
worship,  as  prescribed  by  the  law  of  Moses.     He  intro- 


64  BIBLICAL  HISTOHr  FOB  ISBAELmSH   SCHOOLS. 

duced  the  general  observance  of  the  Covenant  of  Abraham, 
and  celebrated  the  Passover  Festivals.  After  seven  years 
of  warfare  he  divided  the  land,  both  the  conquered  and 
the  unconquered  portions  thereof,  among  the  nine  and  a 
half  tribes,  leaving  to  each  tribe  to  conquer  the  rest  be- 
longing to  him.  The  tribe  of  Levi  had  forty-eight  cities 
assigned  to  them,  as  they  lay  scattered  over  the  territories 
of  the  other  tribes. 


§  41,    Joshua's  Parting  Address — His  Death. 
[Book  of  Joshua,  xxiii.  xxiv.] 

After  a  long  time  of  rest  in  the  land  of  Israel,  when 
Joshua  felt  that  his  end  was  approaching,  he  assembled 
the  chiefs  of  Israel,  together  with  all  the  people,  around 
him,  and  said  to  them  :  "  I  am  old,  and  soon  shall  go  the 
way  of  all  the  earth.  But  be  ye  courageous,  and  consider 
that  the  Lord  left  not  Ofie  word  unfultilled  of  all  that  He 
had  promised  unto  us  through  Moses.  But,  as  all  good 
things  are  come  upon  you  which  the  Lord  promised  you, 
so  shall  He  bring  upon  you  all  the  evil  things,  when  ye 
have  transgressed  the  covenant  of  God  and  served  other 
gods.  Now,  therefore,  keep  and  do  all  that  is  written  in 
the  Book  of  the  Law,  that  ye  turn  not  aside  therefrom, 
either  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left;." 

Shortly  afterwards,  Joshua  assembled  the  people  once 
more  at  Shechem,  and  said  unto  them:  "God  has  given 
you  a  land  which  ye  have  not  tilled,  and  cities  which  ye 
built  not,  and  vine-yards  and  olive-yards  which  ye  planted 
not.  Now,  therefore,  be  thankful  to  the  Lord,  fear  Him, 
and  serve  Him  in  sincerity  and  in  truth.  But  if  it  seem 
evil  to  you  to  serve  the  Lord,  choose  you  this  day  whom 
you  will  serve;  but  as  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve 
the  Lord."  And  the  people  answered :  "  God  forbid  that 
we  should  forsake  the  Lord ;  we  also  will  serve  the  Lord, 
for  He  is  our  God."  Then  said  Joshua  to  the  people : 
"  You  cannot  serve  the  Lord  and  strange  gods,  for  the 
Lord  is  a  holy  and  jealous  God :  He  will  not  forgive  your 
transgressions,  nor  your  sins."  The  people  answered  again, 
saying :   "  Nay,  but  we  will  serve  the  Lord."     Then  said 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS,  65 

Joshua:  **You  are  witness  against  yourselves  that  you 
have  chosen  the  Lord  to  serve  Him."  They  answered : 
*' We  are  witnesses!"  Whereupon  Joshua  said  to  them  : 
*'Now,  therefore,  put  away  the  strange  gods  that  are 
among  you,  and  henceforth  incline  your  heart  unto  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel  alone."  The  people  exclaimed :  ' '  The 
Lord  our  God  will  we  serve,  and  his  voice  we  will  obey !" 
And  they  fulfilled  their  vow  as  long  as  Joshua  lived,  and 
also  some  time  afterwards,  during  the  days  of  the  Elders 
that  overlived  him.  He  wrote  all  these  things  in  a  book 
of  law,  took  a  great  stone,  and  set  it  up  there  under  an 
oak  near  the  Sanctuary  of  the  Lord  for  a  memorial.  He 
then  dismissed  them,  every  man  to  his  inheritance. 

Shortly  afterwards  he  died  at  the  age  of  a  hundred  and 
ten  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  mount  of  Ephraim.  But 
the  bones  of  Joseph,  which  the  Israelites  had  brought  up 
from  Egypt,  they  buried  in  Shechem,  in  a  parcel  of  ground 
which  Jacob  had  bought. 


42.     Thb  Judges.     [Book  of  the  Judges.] 

After  the  aeath  of  Joshua,  the  Israelites  had  no  longer 
a  common  chief.  There  was  no  unity  among  the  several 
tribes.  While  each  of  them  attended  to  its  own  affairs, 
they  weakened  each  other  by  bloody  civil  wars.  They 
forgot  the  benefits  which  God  had  shown  to  their  fore- 
fathers, and  weary  of  the  strict  laws  of  Moses,  intermar- 
ried with  the  heathens  that  had  been  permitted  to  remain 
in  the  country,  and  thus  were  led  astray  to  adopt  their 
manner,  vices,  and  idolatrous  practices.  On  account  of 
these  aberrations,  God  forsook  them.  Whenever  they  did 
evil.  He  delivered  them  into  the  hand  of  their  enemies, 
by  whom  they  were  heavily  oppressed.  Whenever  they 
returned  from  their  sinful  ways,  God  awakened  inspired 
and  enlightened  men  among  them,  to  lead  them  to  victory 
over  their  enemies.  These  men  did  not  only  procure  for 
them  peace  from  external  enemies,  but  also — at  least  many 
of  them — strove  to  preserve  in  their  midst  the  belief  in  the 
living  God.  These  men  were  called  Judges,  (Shophetim,) 
because  they  vindicated  the  rights  of  their  people  against 


66  BIBLICAL   mSTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

their  eueraies;  and  some  of  them  filled  moreover,  the 
highest  judicial  offices  in  their  domes  ic  affairs,  {Deborah^ 
fSamuel.)  Holy  Writ  enumerates  fifteen  of  these  Judges, 
who  ruled  during  more  than  three  hundred  years  over 
Israel,  and  mentions  their  names  in  the  following  order : 
1,  Othniel ;  2,  Ehud;  3,  Shamgar ;  4,  Barak  and 
Dehor  ah;  5,  Gideon;  G,  Abimelech;  7,  Tolah;  8,  tTair, 
9,  Jephtah;  10,  Ibzan;  11,  Elon;  12,  Abdon;  13,  Sam 
son;  14,  A'li;  15,  Samuel. 

The  first  judge  over  Israel  was  Othniel.  He  delivered 
the  Israelites  from  the  hand  of  the  Mesopotamian  king, 
whereupon  the  land  enjoyed  peace  for  forty  years.  After 
the  death  of  Othniel,  the  Israelites  again  did  evil,  and  the 
Lord  punished  them  by  giving  them  up  for  eighteen  years, 
to  the  power  of  the  king  of  the  Moabites.  They  prayed 
to  God  for  help  fi-om  their  misery,  and  he  inspired  Ehud 
to  be  their  deliverer,  who  procured  them  peace  and  tran- 
quility for  eighty  years.  lie  was  succeeded  by  Shamgar, 
who  defeated  the  Philistines  and  thus  liberated  the  Israel- 
ites from  their  enemies.  But  soon  the  Israelites  again 
forgot  their  God,  in  punishment  for  which  they  were  given 
up  to  thti  oppression  of  tTabin,  king  of  Hazor,  for  twenty 
years.  When  the  Israelites  repented  and  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  He  inspired  Deborah,  a  pious  woman,  to  become 
their  deliverer.  She  urged  upon  Barak,  in  the  name  of 
God  to  make  war  upon  the  enemy,  and  marched  herself 
at  the  head  of  the  Israel itish  army  to  the  battle-field, 
assisted  in  putting  the  Canaanites  to  flight,  and  pei*petuated 
this  glorious  victory  by  a  hymn  of  praise  and  thanks, 
which  she  composed  and  sang,  together  with  Barak,  after 
tlie  battle,  in  glorification  of  the  Lord. 


§  43.     The  Judges.     (Continued.) 

After  the  lapse  of  several  years,  the  Israelites  again  did 
evil  in  the  sight  of  God,  wherefore  he  delivered  them  over 
into  the  hands  of  the  Midianites  for  seven  years.  At  that 
time,  there  lived  a  man  in  Israel,  Gideon,  of  the  tribe  of 
Manassch,  surnamed  Jerabhaal,  from  his  struggle  against 
the  idolatrous  worship  of  Baal.     God  appointed   him   to 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  67 

be  the  deliverer  of  the  Israelites,  when  they  cried  unto 
Him  for  help.  Gideon  was  just  thrashing  wheat  in  a  wine- 
press, to  hide  it  from  the  Midianites  who  swept  over  the 
land  as  grasshoppers  and  laid  it  waste,  so  that  the  Ij^raeU 
ites  had  almost  nothing  left  whereon  to  live,  when  lie  re- 
solved to  break  the  heavy  yoke  which  the  strangers  had 
laid  upon  his  nation.  When  the  Midianites  came  again 
into  the  land  to  devastate  it,  he  marched  against  them  with 
an  army  of  thirty-two  thousand  men.  But  God  said  to 
him :  "  The  people  that  are  with  thee,  are  too  many  for 
me  to  give  the  Midianites  into  their  hands,  lest  Israel 
vaunt  themselves  against  me,  saying.  Our  own  hand  have 
saved  us.  Now,  therefore,  proclaim  in  the  ears  of  the  peo- 
ple, saying.  Whosoever  is  fearful  and  afraid,  let  him  return 
to  his  home !  And  there  returned  twenty-two  thousand 
men.  But  God  continued,  saying:  '* The  people  are  yet 
too  many."  Hereupon  Gideon  retained  only  three  hundred 
men.  During  the  night,  God  said  to  him :  "  Go  down 
into  the  valley  where  the  enemies  have  pitched  their  tents." 
When  Gideon  arrived  there,  he  saw  men  and  camels  with- 
out number,  and  heard  a  Midianite  speak  to  his  fellow, 
saying:  ''Behold,  I  have  just  dreamed  that  a  cake  of 
barley  bread  had  come  into  the  tent  and  overturned  it." 
*'This  means  nothing  else,"  replied  the  other,  ''than  that 
we  shall  be  defeated  by  Gideon."  When  Gideon  heard 
these  speeches,  he  thanked  God  and  returned  to  his  men 
full  of  joy.  divided  them  into  three  companies,  and  gave 
every  one  a  trumpet  into  one  hand,  and  a  pitcher  with  a 
lamp  in  it  into  the  other.  He  then  said  to  them :  "  Now 
look  on  me,  and  do  as  I  shall  do ;  when  I  blow  with  a 
trumpet,  then  blow  ye  the  trumpets  also,  and  cry,  The 
sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Gideon!"  The  men  did  as  he 
had  directed  them,  and  the  whole  army  of  the  enemy 
became  so  panic-stricken  and  confused  that  they  took  to 
flight  and  did  not  even  venture  to  turn  their  heads.  Gideon 
pursued  and  slew  them.  After  this  victory,  the  Israelites 
again  enjoyed  peace  for  forty  years.  In  gratitude  for  their 
delivery  by  Gideon,  the  Israelites  offered  him  the  heredit- 
ary rule  over  them,  but  he  refused  to  accept  it,  and  pre- 
ferred a  quiet  life  in  his  native  city.  But  after  his  death, 
his  son  Abimelech  aspired  to   the   rule,  which   his  father 


68  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

had  rejected,  and  slew,  to  accomplish  his  object,  his  seventy 
brothers  on  one  stone.  Only  the  youngeet  of  Gideon's 
sons,  fTotham^  escaped.  He  went  upon  the  sunwnit  of 
Mount  Gerizim,  lifted  up  his  voice  and  exclaimed: 
''  Hearken  unto  me,  ye  men  of  Shechem,  that  God  maj 
hearken  unto  you.  The  trees  went  forth  on  a  time  to 
anoint  a  king  over  them ;  and  they  said  unto  the  olive 
tree.  Reign  thou  over  us.  But  the  olive  tree  said  unto 
them.  Should  I  leave  my  fatness,  wherewith  by  me  they 
honor  God  and  man,  and  go  to  be  promoted  over  the 
trees  ?  And  the  trees  said  to  the  fig-tree,  Come  thou,  and 
reign  over  us.  But  the  fig-tree  said  unto  them,  Should  I 
forsake  my  sweetness,  and  my  good  fruit,  and  go  to  be 
promoted  over  the  trees  t  Then  said  the  trees  unto  the 
vine.  Come  thou,  and  reign  over  us.  And  the  vine  said 
unto  them,  Should  I  leave  my  wine,  which  cheereth  God 
and  man,  and  go  to  be  promoted  over  the  trees  I  Then 
said  all  the  trees  unto  the  bramble,  Come  thou  and  reign 
over  us.  And  the  bramble  said  unto  the  trees,  If  in  truth 
ye  anoint  me  king  over  you,  then  come  and  put  your  trust 
in  my  shadow ;  and  if  not,  let  fire  come  out  of  the  bramble, 
and  devour  the  cedars  of  Lebanon.  .  Now,  therefore,  if  ye 
have  done  tndy  and  sincerely,  in  that  ye  have  made 
Abimelech  king,  and  if  ye  have  dealt  well  with  Jerubbaal 
and  his  house,  and  have  done  unto  him  according  to  the 
deserving  of  his  hands;  (for  my  father  fought  for  you, 
and  adventured  his  life  far,  and  delivered  you  out  of  the 
hand  of  Midian :  And  ye  are  risen  up  against  my  fathei^'s 
house  this  day,  and  have  slain  his  sons,  threescore  and  ten 
persons,  upon  one  stone,  and  have  made  Abimelech,  the 
son  of  his  maid-servant,  king  over  the  men  of  Shechem, 
because  he  is  your  brother ;)  if  ye  then  have  dealt  truly 
and  sincerely  with  Jerubbaal  and  with  his  house  this  day, 
then  rejoice  ye  in  Abimelech,  and  let  him  also  rejoice  in 
you:  but  if  not,  let  fire  come  out  from  Abimelech,  and 
devour  the  men  of  Shechem,  and  the  house  of  Millo ;  and 
let  fire  come  out  from  the  men  of  Shechem,  and  from  the 
house  of  Millo,  and  devour  Abimelech."  After  finishing 
this  speech  Jotham  fled  to  a  distant  region  of  the  country. 
Abimelech  had  reigned  not  more  than  three  years,  when 
discord  arose  between  him  and  the  people  of  Shechem, 


BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  69 

the  same  who  had  raised  him  to  the  office  of  Judge. 
Gaal,  the  son  of  Ebed,  and  his  brothers  went  about  in 
Shechera  and  conspired  against  him,  saying :  "  Who  are 
we,  and  who  is  Abimelech,  that  we  should  serve  him"?  If 
I  were  your  ruler,  I  should  remove  him."  When  Abime- 
lech heard  of  this,  he  gathered  his  people,  took  Shechem, 
slew  its  inhabitants,  and  destroyed  the  city.  He  set  also 
fire  to  the  tower  (citadel)  of  Shechem,  and  thus  caused  the 
death  of  those  that  had  taken  refuge  therein.  But  when 
he  attempted  to  burn  also  the  tower  of  Thehez,  together 
with  the  people  that  had  fled  into  it,  God  revealed  His 
unfailing  justice :  "  a  woman  cast  a  piece  of  a  mill-stone 
upon  his  head,  which  broke  his  skull.  Then  he  called 
hastily  unto  the  young  man  his  armor-bearer,  and  said 
unto  him,  Draw  thy  sword  and  slay  me,  that  men  say  not 
of  me,  A  woman  slew  him.  And  the  young  man  thrust 
him  through,  and  he  died."  Now,  when  his  men  saw  that 
he  was  dead,  they  departed,  every  man  to  his  home. 

After  Abimelech,  Tola  and  J  air  were  successively 
Judges  in  Israel.  When  the  Israelites  again  followed  the 
paths  of  sin  and  iniquity,  God  delivered  them  over  to  the 
power  of  the  Ammonites.  Then  the  elders  of  Gilead  went 
to  JTephtah^  a  valiant  and  mighty  fellow-citizen  of  theirs, 
whom  they  had  expelled  from  their  city,  and  entreated 
him  to  be  their  captain  in  the  war  with  the  Ammonites. 
But  he  said  to  them :  "Did  not  ye  hate  me,  and  expel  me 
out  of  my  father's  house  ?  And  why  are  ye  come  unto 
me  now  when  ye  are  in  distress f  The  elders  replied: 
"  Therefore  we  turn  again  to  thee  now,  that  thou  mayest 
go  with  us  and  fight  against  the  children  of  Ammon,  and 
afterwards  be  our  chief"  Then  Jephtah  went  with  the 
elders,  and  the  people  made  him  their  captain  and  leader. 
Bf^fore,  however,  he  went  to  war,  he  sent  messengers  to 
the  king  of  the  Ammonites,  to  demand  of  him  to  desist 
from  his  hostilities.  But  when  the  king  would  not  com- 
ply with  the  demand,  Jephtah  prepared  for  war.  Before 
engaging  in  battle,  he  made  a  vow,  saying :  "  If  God  will 
grant  me  a  victory  over  our  enemies,  then  it  shall  be, 
that  whatever  cometh  forth  of  the  doors  of  my  house  to 
meet  me  first  when  I  return  in  peace  from  the  children  of 
Ammon,  shall  surely  be   consecrated  unto  the  Lord!     I 


70  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS. 

will  offer  it  up  for  a  br.riit  offering."  Jephtah  gained  V  e 
victory,  and  when  he  lerurned  to  his  home,  behold!  his 
only  daughter  and  child  came  out  to  meet  him  with  tim- 
brels and  with  dances.  When  he  saw  lier,  he  rent  his 
clothes  and  exclaimed:  "Al;:s!  ray  daughter!  thou  hast 
brought  me  very  low,  and  causest  me  deep  grief  of  the 
heart,  for  I  have  made  a  vow  unto  the  Lord,  and  I  can 
not  recall  it."  Then  she  said  :  "Do  as  thou  hast  vowed. 
But  one  thing,  I  pray  thee,  do  for  me :  Let  me  alone  but 
two  months,  that  I  may  go  into  the  mountains  and  bewail, 
with  my  playmates,  the  sad  fate  that  now  awaits  me." 
Her  father  granted  her  request,  and  then  performed  his 
vow.  Jephtah  was  six  years  Judge  over  Israel.  His 
successors  were  Jbzan,  jElon,  Abdon,  aud  the  strong 
JSamson. 


§  44.     The  History  op  Sampson.     [Book  of  tho  Judges 
xiii.-xvi.] 

There  lived  a  man  in  Zorah,  named  Manoahy  who  had 
no  children.  At  last  an  angel  of  God  announced  to  him 
the  biilh  of  a  son,  that  should  become  the  deliverer  of  the 
Israelites  from  the  hands  of  the  Philistines,  who,  at  that 
time  oppressed  them  most  severely.  His  wife  afterwards 
bare  him  a  son,  as  the  angel  had  foretold  him,  and  he 
called  him  Samson.  His  parents  resolved  that  he  should 
be  consecrated  to  God,  that  is,  become  a  Nazarite :  no 
razor  should  come  on  his  head,  he  should  not  be  permitted 
to  drink  wine  or  any  other  strong  beverage,  or  eat  any 
thing  unclean,  throughout  his  life.  When  Samson  had 
reached  the  age  of  mijnhood,  he  went  to  Timnath,  a  city 
of  the  Philistines.  Here  he  saw  a  Philistine  maiden  with 
whom  he  was  so  much  pleased,  that  he  requested  his 
parents  to  get  her  for  him  as  his  wife.  But  they  said  to 
him:  *'Is  there  no  woman  among  the  daughters  of  thy 
relatives,  or  among  all  thy  people,  that  thou  shouldest  go 
to  take  a  wife  of  the  heathen  Philistines  t  But  Samson 
insisted  upon  his  request,  saying:  **Get  her  for  me,  for 
she  pleaseth  me  well  "  This  marriage,  he  thought,  would 
aHord  him  opportunity  to  reward  the  Philistines  for  the 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  71 

heavy  oppression  under  which  they  made  the  Israelites  to 
suffer.  After  some  time  when  Samson  went  down  to 
Timnath  with  his  parents,  he  met  a  young  lion  and  rent 
him,  with  his  bare  hands,  as  he  would  have  rent  a  kid. 
A  few  days  after,  he  found  a  swarm  of  bees  and  honey  in 
the  carcass  of  the  lion.  He  took  thereof,  ate  it,  and 
brought  some  of  it  also  to  his  parents. 

When  his  nuptial  feast  was  celebrated,  Samson  said  to 
his  thirty  Philistinian  companions:  " I  will  now  put  forth 
a  riddle  to  you ;  if  ye  can  solve  it  within  the  seven  days 
of  the  feast,  then  I  will  give  yoa  thirty  shirts  and  thirty 
festival  garments ;  but  if  you  can  not  solve  it,  then  you 
shall  give  me  thirty  shirts  and  thirty  festival  garments.'* 
They  replied :  "  Put  forth  thy  riddle,  that  we  may  hear 
it."  Then  said  Samson:  "Out  of  the  eater  came  forth 
meat,  and  out  of  the  strong  came  forth  sweetness,"  After 
having  in  vain  attempted,  for  three  days,  to  solve  the 
riddle,  the  young  men  went  to  his  wife  and  threatened  to 
set  the  house  of  her  father  on  fire,  if  she  did  not  entice  her 
husband  to  tell  her  the  solution.  Hereupon  Samson's  wife 
wept  a  long  time  before  him,  until  he  told  her  the  solution, 
which  she  communicated  to  his  companions.  Angry  at 
this,  he  went  out  and  slew  thirty  Philistines,  took  their 
garments  and  gave  them  to  the  young  men.  Then  he  re- 
turned to  his  parents,  leaving  his  wife  with  her  father.  In 
the  mean  while,  her  parents  married  her  to  another  man, 
which  afforded  Samson  a  just  cause  for  an  attack  upon  the 
Philistines. 

Having  returned,  some  time  afterward,  to  Timnath, 
his  father-in-law  would  not  admit  him  into  his  house,  say- 
ing :  "  I  thought  indeed  that  thou  hadst  utterly  hated  her, 
therefore  I  gave  her  to  another  man."  Burning  with 
anger,  on  account  of  this  treatment,  Samson  went  and 
caught  three  hundred  foxes,  coupled  them  together  by 
their  tails,  took  torches  and  put  one  of  them  in  the  midst 
between  each  couple  of  the  foxes,  tied  to  their  tails.  He 
then  set  the  torches  on  fire,  and  let  the  foxes  loose  into 
the  corn-fields  of  the  Philistines,  so  that  their  entire  crop 
was  burned  down.  In  revenge  for  this,  the  Philistines 
burned  his  wife  and  her  father  to  death-  This  deed  Sam- 
son avenged  likewise  by  a  greater  slaughter  among  the 


72  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELTTISH    SCHOOIA 

Philistines.  After  this,  he  went  into  the  desert  of  Judah, 
and  dwelt  in  the  top  of  the  rock  Etara.  The  Philistines  then 
marched  forth  and  pitched  their  tents  in  Judah.  To  avert 
all  danger,  the  men  of  Judah  delivered  Samson  bound 
into  their  hands.  But  as  soon  as  he  was  in  the  midst  of 
his  enemies,  he  burst  the  cords  that  were  upon  his  arms 
as  flax,  took  a  fresh  jaw-bone  of  an  ass  and  slew  one  thou- 
sand men  therewith.  Soon  after  this  he  went  to  Gaza. 
The  inhabitants  of  this  city  laid  wait  for  him  all  night,  to 
kill  him.  But  about  midnight  he  rose,  seized  the  doors 
of  the  gate  of  the  city,  raised  them  fi'om  their  hinges,  put 
them  upon  his  shoulders,  and  carried  them  upon  the  top 
of  a  mountain. 

After  that,  he  loved  a  woman  in  the  valley  of  Sorek^ 
whose  name  was  Delilah.  The  Philistines  went  to  her 
with  the  lequest  to  find  out  the  secret  of  his  extraordinary 
strength,  and  promised  her  rich  rewards  if  she  should 
succeed.  Upon  her  question  to  Samson,  wherein  his 
strength  consisted,  he  replied:  "If  they  bind  me  with 
seven  green  withs  that  were  never  dried,  then  I  shall  be 
weak."  When  Delilah  bound  him  with  such  withs,  ho 
burst  them  as  a  thread.  Then  said  Delilah :  "  Behold, 
thou  hast  mocked  me ;  now  tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  where- 
with thou  mightest  be  bound."  He  replied  :  "  If  they  bind 
me  fast  with  new  ropes,  then  shall  I  be  weak."  And 
Delilah  bound  him  with  new  ropes,  but  he  tore  them  from 
his  arm  like  a  thread.  When  Delilah  saw  this,  she  said 
to  him  thou  hast  again  mocked  me;  tell  me,  I  pray 
thee,  wherein  thou  mightest  be  bound."  And  he  said : 
**  If  thou  weavest  the  seven  locks  of  my  head  with  the 
web,  then  I  shall  be  weak."  But  she  found  herself  again 
deceived.  Now  she  said  to  him :  "  How  canst  thou  say, 
I  love  thee,  when  thou  art  not  sincere  toward  me  ?"  Now, 
when  she  pressed  him  daily  in  this  manner,  he  at  last 
yielded  and  told  her,  that  he  would  lose  all  his  strength  ii 
his  hair  should  be  cut.  When  Delilah  saw  that  he  had 
opened  his  heart  to  her,  she  made  him  sleep  upon  her 
knees,  called  for  a  man,  and  caused  him  to  shave  off  the 
seven  locks  of  Samson's  head.  Then  she  exclaimed :  '*The 
Philistines  upon  thee,  Samson!"  He  awoke  and  tried  to 
go  out  «fl  at  other  times,  and  shake  himself,  but  soon  found 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  73 

that  his  strength  was  departed.  The  Philistines  took  him, 
bound  him,  put  out  his  eyes,  and  carried  him  to  Gaza^  to 
grind  the  mill  in  the  prison  house. 

When,  some  time  after,  the  Philistines  celebrated  a 
feast  in  the  temple  of  their  idol  Dagon^  they  sent  for 
Sampson,  that  he  might  afford  them  sport,  and  thus  heighten 
their  joy.  But  Sampson,  feeling  that  his  hair  had  grown 
again,  and  his  strength  returned,  called  unto  God,  and 
prayed :  "  O  Lord !  remember  me,  I  pray  Thee,  and 
strengthen  me,  I  pray  Thee,  onl}^  this  once!"  Then  he 
took  hold  of  the  middle  pillars  upon  which  the  house 
stood,  and  bent  them  with  all  his  strength,  exclaiming: 
"Xe^  Samson  die  with  the  Philistines!'  and  the  whole 
building  fell  upon  the  lords  and  the  people  gathered 
therein,  so  that  all  were  buried  under  its  ruins,  together 
with  Samson.  His  brethren  and  the  whole  household  of 
his  father  came  down  and  took  his  body,  and  buried  him 
in  the  buryiag-place  of  his  father. 


§  45.     Eli  and  Samuel.     [1  Samuel  i.-iv.] 

Eli  was  one  before  the  last  of  the  Judges,  and  at  the 
same  time  Priest  at  /Shiloh,  where  the  Ark  of  the  Coven- 
ant stood.  Pious  Israelites  used  to  go  there  to  offer  sac- 
rifices to  God  and  to  thank  Him  for  His  blessings.  Amongst 
these  pious  worshippers  were  also  a  man  named  JElkanah, 
and  his  wife  Ilannah,  who  went  to  Shiloh  every  year. 
Hannah  was  deeply  grieved  and  wept,  because  she  had  no 
children ;  even  the  friendly  words  of  her  husband  could 
not  comfort  her.  Once  she  entered  the  House  of  God 
weeping,  and  prayed  in  the  following  manner :  ''  O  Lord 
of  hosts !  behold  the  affliction  of  Thy  handmaid !  Give 
unto  me  I  pray  Thee,  a  son,  and  I  will  give  him  unto 
Thee:  he  shall  be  consecrated  unto  Thee  all  the  days  of 
his  life."  While  she  thus  prayed  to  God  she  was  observed 
by  Eli,  who  thought  she  was  drunk,  because  he  saw  only 
her  lips  move,  while  her  voice  was  not  heard.  And  he 
said  to  her:  **How  long  wilt  thou  be  drunken*?"  Han- 
nah answered,  and  said :  '*  No,  my  lord,  I  am  a  woman  of 
a  sorrowful  spirit ;   I  have  drunk  neither  wine  nor  strong 


74  BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOR    ISRAELITISII    SCHOOLS 

drink,  but  have  poured  out  my  soul  before  the  Lord." 
Then  Eli  answered,  and  said:  ''  Go  in  peace ;  and  the  God 
of  Israel  grant  thee  thy  petition  that  thou  hast  asked  of 
Him."  Filled  with  cheerful  courage,  she  returned  home, 
ate  and  drank  again,  and  was  no  longer  sad.  God  had 
hearkened  to  her  prayer :  she  had  soon  a  son,  whom  she 
called  Samuel. 

When  she  had  weaned  her  son,  she  took  him  to  Eli, 
and  said :  "  My  lord,  I  am  the  woman  that  stood  by  thee 
here,  praying  unto  the  Lord. — For  this  child  I  prayed,  and 
the  Lord  hath  granted  me  my  petition  which  I  asked  of 
Ilini :  therefore  also  will  I  perform  my  vow,  and  conse- 
crate this  child  unto  the  service  of  God  all  the  days  of  liis 
life."  Eli  took  the  boy,  and  trained  him  unto  God-fearing 
piety  and  vii'tue. 


§  46.     The  Sons  op  Eix 

Eli  had  two  sons,  named  Jlop/mi  and  Phineas,  who 
were  very  wicked  and  mischievous  lads.  They  feared 
neither  God  nor  men,  disturbed  the  Israelites  in  their 
pious  devotions,  stole  the  flesh  of  the  saciifices  from  the 
pots,  and  committed  many  other  abominable  excesses. 
l^ow  it  was  the  duty  of  Eli  to  punish  his  sons  as  severely 
as  pu  .sible,  for  their  great  misdeeds,  but  he  did  not  per- 
form this  duty ;  he  reproached  them,  it  is  true,  for  their 
evil  conduct,  and  admonished  them  to  improve;  but  they 
did  not  mind  the  exhortations  of  their  father,  who,  more- 
over, was  already  too  old,  too  feeble  and  lenient,  to  inflict 
more  severe  punishment  upon  them.  But  young  Samuel 
was  obedient  to  his  teacher,  grew  very  pious  and  good, 
and  was  in  favor  with  God,  and  also  with  men. 

God  having  appointed  Samuel  for  His  prophet,  revealed 
to  him  His  intention  severely  to  punish  Eli  and  his  sons, 
for  the  iniquities  of  his  house,  the  iniquities  of  his  sons. 
This  revelation  was  soon  fulfilled.  A  war  having  broken 
Dut  between  the  Israelites  and  the  Philistines,  Eli's  sons 
inarched  to  the  camp  with  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  that 
it  might  be  borne  before  the  Israelitish  warriors,  and  thus, 
as  it  was  the  symbol  of  the  presence  of  God,  inspire  them 
with   courage.      With    impatient    anxiety   did    Eli   wait 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  75 

for  some  intelligence  concerning  the  fate  of  his  people. 
At  last  a  messenger  arrived  and  said  to  him:  ''Israel  is 
fled  before  the  Philistines,  and  there  hath  been  also  a 
great  slaughter  among  the  people,  and  thy  two  sons  also 
are  dead,  and  the  Ark  of  God  is  in  the  hands  of  the  en- 
emy." When  the  aged  Eli,  who  was  ninety-eight  years 
old,  heard  this  sad  intelligence,  he  was  struck  with  such 
fright  that  he  fell  from  his  chair,  broke  his  neck  and  died, 
after  having  judged  over  Israel  forty  years. 


§  17.     The  Meritorious  Acts  of  Samuel. 

The  Philistines  placed  the  Ark  of  the  Lord  in  the  temple 
of  their  idol  god  Dagon,  For  this  profanation  Go*'  sent 
a  heavy  plague  upon  them,  so  that  their  princes  deter- 
mined to  return  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  to  the  Israelites. 
Yet,  the  Israelites  still  remained  in  the  power  of  their  ene- 
my, Wherefore  Samuel  resolved  to  become  their  deliverer. 
He  assembled  the  people  at  Mizpeh,  and  told  them  what 
they  ought  to  do,  and  what  alone  could  be  of  avail  to 
them.  ''If  you,"  thus  he  spoke  to  them,  -'do  return  unto 
the  Lord  with  all  your  hearts,  serve  Him  alone  faithfully 
and  sincerely,  He  will  again  deliver  you  out  of  the  hand  of 
your  enemy."  The  people  loudly  confessed  their  sins, 
and  fasted  the  whole  day  with  profound  repentance.  While 
their  trespass-offerings  were  yet  burning  upon  the  altar, 
the  Philistines  appeared  to  fight  against  them.  Samuel 
prayed  to  God  for  his  people,  and  a  terrible  thunder-storm 
broke  upon  the  Philistines,  which  caused  such  confusion 
amongst  them,  that  they  took  to  flight.  Thus  the  sincere 
repentance  of  the  Israelites  had  proved  a  greater  help  to 
them  than  their  outward  worship  of  the  Ark  of  the  Coven- 
ant. In  memoey  of  this  victory,  Samuel  took  a  stone,  set 
it  up  between  Mizpeh  and  Shen  as  a  grateful  memorial, 
and  called  it  Eben-ezer,  saying:  "Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us." 

Every  one  now  acknowledged  that  Samuel  was  a  trust- 
worthy prophet.  Under  his  rule,  the  affairs  of  the  people 
improved.  He  admonished  his  brethren  to  remove  the 
strange  gods  and  serve  the  Lord  alone ;  he  employed,  in 


76  BIBLICAL   niSTOKT   FOB   ISKAELITISU    SCHOUUS. 

all  possible  manner,  the  time  of  peace  for  the  revival  of 
relipci<>iis  feelings.  He  travelled  about  the  country  to  ad- 
minister justice,  and  established  Schools  of  Prophets^  in 
which  pious  youths  were  instructed  in  Religion.  To  the 
very  day  of  his  death  he  li\ed  and  labored  for  the  welfare 
of  his  people. 


§  48.     God  tbies  and  guides  the  Pious.     [The  Book  ol 
Ruth.] 

In  the  days  of  the  Judges,  there  lived  a  pious  woman 
named  Ruth.  She  was  a  Moabite,  and  married  to  a  son 
of  Elimelech^  who  had  removed,  during  a  famine  in  Ca- 
naan, with  his  wife  Naomi  and  his  two  sons,  into  the  land 
of  Moab.  Soon  Elimelech  and  his  two  sons  died ;  where- 
upon, the  poor,  afiiicted  wife  and  mother  resolved  to  re- 
turn to  her  native  country  Canaan,  where  she  could  still 
find  some  relatives  and  friends,  and  recover  her  lands. 
Iler  two  daughters-in-law  accompanied  her  a  great  dis- 
tance. But  the  hour  of  separation  at  last  arrived.  The 
three  widows  held  each  other  firmly  embraced ;  the  mem- 
ory of  their  beloved  departed  ones  filled  their  hearts  with 
grief  and  sadness;  tears  gushed  forth  from  their  pious 
eyes ;  the  words  died  upon  their  lips.  At  last  the  kind 
mother  addressed  the  following  words  to  her  daughters : 
"  Return,  I  pray  you,  my  daughters ;  the  Lord  deal  kindly 
with  you  as  ye  have  dealt  with  the  dead,  and  with  me." 
Then  she  kissed  them;  and  they  lifted  up  their  voices, 
and  wept,  and  they  said  unto  her:  *'No,  no!  we  will  go 
with  thee  unto  thy  people."  Now,  Naomi  entreated  them 
Btill  more  urgently,  saying:  *'Nay,  ray  daughters,  for  it 
grieveth  me  much  for  your  sakes.  Return  to  your  homes  I" 
Orpah  now  kissed  her  mother-in-law,  and  returned ;  but 
Ruth  clave  unto  her,  and  she  said:  "I  cannot  leave  thee: 
whithersoever  thou  goest,  I  will  go ;  wherever  thou  long- 
est, I  will  lodge ;  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  thy  God 
shall  be  my  God.  Where  thou  diest,  will  I  die,  and  there 
will  I  be  buried."  Naomi  embraced  once  more  her  faithful 
daughter-in-law,  and  took  her  with  her  to  Bethlehem. 

And  when  they  arrived  there,  all  the  city  was   moved 
about  them,  and  they  said:  "Is  this  Naomi!"     And  she 


BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  77 

said  unto  them :  **CaIl  me  not  Naomi,  call  me  Mara,  for 
the  Almighty  hath  dealt  very  bitterly  with  me.''  But 
Ruth,  still  possessed  of  youthful  strength,  willingly  work- 
ed for  her  mother-in-law;  she  went  out  into  the  fields  to 
glean  ears  of  corn,  and  thus  maintained  herself  and  Naomi. 
Kind  Providence  so  ordained  it  that  Ruth  should  glean 
in  the  fields  of  the  wealthy  Boaz,  who  was  a  relative  of 
Naomi.  Observing  her  industry,  he  asked  his  reapers, 
saying:  ''Who  is  yonder  damsel  that  gleans  so  industri- 
ously?" They  answered:  "It  is  Ruth,  the  daughter-in- 
law  of  Naomi :  she  has  been  here  ever  since  early  in  the 
morning,  gleaning  continually^  without  even  looking 
around."  Then  Boaz  went  to  hev^  and  said  :  *'  Listen,  my 
daughter.  Go  not  to  glean  in  another  field,  but  abide 
here  fast  by  my  maidens.  I  have  charged  the  young  men 
that  they  shall  not  trouble  thee,  and  when  thou  art  athirst, 
go  unto  the  vessels  and  drink  from  them."  Then  she  fell 
on  her  face,  and  said:  "Why  have  I  founa  such  grace  in 
thine  eyes,  although  I  am  a  stranger  ?"  Boaz  answered, 
saying :  "It  hath  fully  been  shown  unto  me  all  that  thou 
hast  done  unto  thy  mother-in-law.  May  the  Lord  reward 
thee  for  thy  noble  deeds  1"  Thereupon  Boaz  commanded 
his  young  men  purposely  to  let  fall  some  of  the  ears  for 
her,  that  her  gleanings  might  be  more  abundant.  Ruth 
gleaned  until  evening,  beat  the  corn  out,  and  brought  it  home 
to  her  mother-in-law,  besides  some  portions  of  her  meals 
which  she  had  reserved  for  her.  When  Naomi  heard  that 
it  was  Boaz  that  had  bestowed  so  much  kindness  upon 
her  she  told  Ruth  that  he  was  her  relative.  And  Boaz, 
who  became  more  and  more  pleased  with  the  industry  and 
correct  deportment  of  Ruth,  married  her,  and  was  very 
happy  in  his  wedlock.  They  had  soon  a  son,  whom  they 
called  Ohed.  And  Naomi  enjoyed  again  a  happy  life  at 
the  house  of  her  daughter-in-law,  for  which  she  proved 
herself  grateful.  The  well-being  of  Ruth  was  to  her  like 
her  own,  and  she  took  hei  child  into  her  lap  and  became 
his  nurse.     This  Obed  was  the  grand-father  of  David. 


78  BIBUCAL   IlISTOBY    FOB  ISUAEUTISU    SCHOOLS. 


B.    The  Kings    over   the  Undivided  Empire  of 
Israel. 

§  49.  Saul  raised  to  the   Royal   Throne.     [1  Samuel 
viii.-xiv.]     2916  A.M. 

When  Samuel  had  grown  old  and  felt  himself  too  weak 
to  continue  Judge  over  Israel,  he  resolved  to  transfer  his 
office  to  his  sons.  But  as  these  were  wicked  and  avari- 
cious men,  open  to  bribery,  the  people  demanded  of 
Samuel,  that  lie  should  appoint  a  king  over  them,  that  ihey 
might  be  ruled  as  the  neighboring  nations.  This  demand 
caused  the  displeasure  of  Samuel.  But  God  said  to  him : 
"  Hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  people,  for  they  have  not 
rejected  thee,  but  they  have  rejected  me^  that  I  siiould  no 
longer  reign  over  them.  Now,  therefore,  hearken  unto 
their  voice,  yet  protest  solemnly  unto  them,  and  show 
them  the  great  evil  which  the  rule  of  a  wicked  king  will 
produce."  In  accordance  with  these  words,  Samuel  ad- 
dressed the  people,  saying : 

"  This  will  be  the  manner  of  the  king  that  shall  reign 
over  you :  he  wall  take  your  sons,  and  appoint  them  fbi 
himself,  for  his  chariots,  and  to  be  his  horsemen ;  and 
some  shall  run  before  his  chariots. 

"  And  he  will  appoint  him  captains  over  thousands,  and 
captains  over  fifties ;  and  will  set  them  to  ear  his  ground* 
and  to  reap  his  harvest,  and  to  make  his  instruments  of 
war,  and  instruments  of  his  chariots. 

"  And  he  will  take  your  daughters  to  be  confectionaries, 
and  to  be  cooks,  and  to  be  bakers. 

"  And  he  will  take  your  fields,  and  your  vineyards,  and 
yoiu-  oliveyards,  even  the  best  of  them,  and  give  them  to 
his  servants. 

"And  he  will  take  the  tenth  of  your  seed,  and  of  your 
vineyards,  and  give  to  his  officers,  and  to  his  servants. 


BIBLICAL  HISTOEY   FOR  ISRAEIJTISH   SCHOOI^.  79 

*'And  he  will  take  your  menservants,  and  your  maid- 
eervants,  and  your  goodliest  young  men,  and  your  asses, 
and  put  them  to  his  work. 

*^ He  will  take  the  tenth  of  your  sheep:  and  ye  shall  be 
his  servants. 

**  And  ye  shall  cry  out  in  that  day  because  of  your  king 
which  ye  shall  have  chosen  you ;  and  the  Lord  will  not 
hear  you  in  that  day." 

But  the  people  did  not  heed  these  representations  of 
Samuel ;  they  insisted  upon  their  demand,  saying :  "  Nay, 
but  we  will  have  a  king  over  us ;  that  we  also  may  be  like 
all  the  nations,  and  that  our  king  may  judge  us,  and  go 
out  before  us,  and  fight  our  battles."  When  Samuel  saw 
that  the  people  would  not  yield,  he  said:  "Go  ye  every 
man  to  his  city."  He  then  anointed,  in  the  name  of  God, 
Saul^  the  son  of  an  humble  family  of  the  tribe  of  Benja- 
min, king  over  Israel,  and  presented  him  as  such  to  the 
people,  who  were  rejoiced  and  shouted :  "  God  save  the 
king  I"  But  some  discontented  and  envious  men  exclaim- 
ed :  "  How  shall  this  man  save  us  *?"  and  despised  Saul. 
He,  however,  pretended  not  to  have  heard  this  remark, 
and  held  his  peace. 

Soon  an  opportunity  presented  itself  to  him,  to  show 
himself  as  a  gallant  man  and  the  deliverer  of  his  brethren. 
Having  heard  that  the  Ammonites  had  laid  siege  to  the 
Israelitish  city  Jahesh-gilead^  and  demanded  that  the  in- 
habitants should  lose  their  right  eyes  for  a  reproach  unto  all 
Israel,  his  indignation  was  roused,  and  he  took  a  yoke  of 
oxen,  cut  them  to  pieces,  and  sent  these  to  all  the  places 
of  Israel,  with  these  words:  "  Whoever  cometh  not  forth 
after  Saul  and  after  Samuel,  so  shall  it  be  done  unto  his 
oxen."  All  Israel  marched  out  with  one  consent  against 
the  Ammonites,  and  defeated  them  completely.  Delight- 
ed with  this  victory,  the  people  exclaimed,  saying:  "Who 
are  those  that  said,  *Saul  shall  not  reign  over  us  f  bring 
the  men  that  we  may  put  them  to  death."  But  Saul  said : 
"  There  shall  not  a  man  be  put  to  death  this  day,  for  to- 
day the  Lord  hath  wrought  salvation  in  Israel." 

But  king  Saul  did  not  continue  pious  and  modest;  his 
prosperity  made  him  wicked,  so  that  he  did  not  obey  the 
commands  of  God  on  all  occasions.     During  a  war  with 


80  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAKLITISH   SCHOOLS. 

the  AmalekiteR,  the  Lord  had  commanded  him  to  slay 
every  living  being,  and  not  even  to  spare  their  cattle ;  for 
the  Amalekites  had  attacked  the  Israelites  without  cause 
or  reason,  during  their  sojourn  in  the  wilderness,  and  in- 
tended to  destroy  them.  Contrary  to  the  command  of 
God,  Saul  permitted  his  people  to  spare  the  best  of  the 
cattle,  and  all  that  was  good,  and  had  it  offered  up  for 
sacrifices.  Samuel  reproached  him  for  this  disobedience, 
saying :  "  Behold :  to  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice ;  diso- 
bedience is  idolatry.  Because  thou  hast  rejected  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  He  hath  also  rejected  thee.  The  royal  dig- 
nity shall  be  taken  from  thee ;  and  know,  the  God  of 
Israel  will  not  lie  nor  repent,  for  He  is  no  man,  that  He 
should  repent"  Samuel  then  turned  away  from  Saul,  yet 
mourned  for  him,  because  God  had  rejected  him. 


§  50.     David  anointed  King  over  Israel.      [1  Samuel, 
XV.  xvi.  and  xvii.] 

God  said  to  Samuel :  "  How  long  wilt  thou  mourn  for 
Saul  1  Go  to  Bethlehem,  to  Jesse,  and  anoint  for  me  one 
of  his  sons  as  king  over  Israel."  Samuel  went  to  the 
house  of  Jesse  and  had  his  sons  presented  to  him,  that  he 
might  see  which  of  them  was  the  appointed  one.  But 
God  said  to  him :  "  Look  not  upon  their  countenances,  or 
on  the  heighth  of  their  statures;  the  Lord  seeth  not  as 
man  seeth ;  for  man  looketh  upon  the  outward  appear- 
ance, but  the  Lord  looketh  upon  the  heart."  Not  one  of 
those  presented  to  him  could  be  anointed.  Whereupon 
Jesse  sent  for  his  youngest  son  David,  who  was  then 
keeping  the  sheep  in  the  field.  David  was  of  a  beautiful 
countenance,  and,  what  is  still  more  precious,  of  a  noble 
heai-t.  Now  God  said  to  Samuel:  '* Arise,  anoint  him, 
for  this  is  the  man  I  Then  Samuel  took  the  horn  of  oil, 
and  anointed  him,  in  the  midst  of  his  brethren,  as  king 
over  Israel.  From  that  day  David  was  more  and  more 
filled  with  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  while  Saul  became 
sadder  and  sadder  and  fell  into  deep  melancholy.  David, 
who  was  very  skillful  in  playing  the  harp,  was  brought  to 
the  royal  court,  and  cheered  Saul,  by  the  tunes  of  music, 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY  FOR  ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS.  81 

in  the  hours  of  his  sadness.    He  became  so  much  endeared 
to  the  king,  that  he  made  him  his  armor-bearer. 

When  the  Phihstines  again  came  to  fight  against  Saul, 
a  giant  by  the  name  of  Goliath  stepped  forth  from  the 
army  of  the  enemy,  and  exclaimed,  full  of  pride  and 
haughtiness,  saying:  "Who  ventures  to  fight  with  me? 
If  one  of  you  defeat  me,  then  we  all  will  be  your  servants  ; 
but  if  I  defeat  him,  then  shall  ye  be  our  servants."  When 
Saul  and  all  Israel  heard  these  words,  they  became  greatly 
afraid,  and  no  man  would  venture  the  contest  with  the 
giant.  Now  it  so  happened  that  David  was  present  in 
the  camp,  just  when  Goliath  again  used  that  haughty  lan- 
guage. Heat  once  said:  "I  will  fight  with  this  giant!" 
And  when  his  brothers  and  other  Israelites,  as  well  as 
Saul,  attempted  to  dissuade  him  from  his  determination, 
he  answered :  "  I  have  already  smitten  a  lion  and  a  bear 
with  my  hand ;  the  Lord  will  deliver  me  also  out  of  the 
hand  of  this  Philistine."  He  then  took  his  shepherd's 
staff,  his  sling,  and  his  shepherd's  bag  filled  with  smooth 
stones,  and  thus  went  forth  to  meet  the  Philistine.  When 
Goliath  saw  David  he  disdained  him,  and  said:  "Am  I  a 
dog  that  thou  comest  to  me  with  a  staff?  Come  to  me, 
and  I  will  give  thy  flesh  unto  the  fowls  of  the  air  and  to 
the  beasts  of  the  field."  David  answered  and  said:  TJioit 
reliest  upon  thine  own  strength,  but  I  come  in  the  name 
of  God,  whom  thou  hast  defied.  Even  this  day  will  the 
Lord  deliver  thee  into  my  hand,  and  all  the  earth  shall 
know  that  there  is  a  God  in  Israel."  When,  at  that  mo- 
ment, the  giant  arose  and  drew  nigh  to  meet  David,  the 
latter  took  a  stone  from  his  bag,  slang  it,  and  smote  the 
PhiUstine  in  his  forehead,  so  that  he  fell  dead  to  the 
ground.  David  then  took  the  sword  of  Goliath,  and  cut 
off  his  head  therewith.  When  the  Philistines  saw  that 
their  champion  had  fallen,  they  were  seized  with  fear,  and 
driven  to  flight  by  the  Israelites. 


82  BIBLICAL    lilSTORr   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS, 


51.     Saul  Persecuting  David.    [1  Samuel  xviii.-xxiv. 
xxvi.-xxxL,  and  2  Samuel  L] 

The  victoiy  which  David  had  gained  over  Goliath, 
brought  glory,  happiness,  but  no  less  also  persecution  up- 
on him.  Saul  took  him  into  his  palace,  and  would  no 
more  permit  him  to  return  to  his  native  place ;  he  placed 
him  at  the  head  of  the  army ;  and  Jonathan,  the  son  of 
Saul,  loved  him  as  his  own  soul,  and  made  a  covenant  of 
friendship  with  him,  which  he  kept  most  faithfully  to  the 
day  of  his  death.  But  Saul  began  to  be  jealous  of  David  ; 
his  hatred  against  him  increased  every  hour,  because 
David  was  more  honored  by  the  people  than  Saul  himself, 
and  he  feared  that  David  might  become  king.  One  day, 
while  David  was  playing  on  tlie  harp  before  Saul,  he  cast 
a  javelin  at  him,  but  missed  him ;  Saul  hereupon  removed 
him  from  him,  and  made  him  his  captain  over  a  thousand. 
But  his  hatred  had  not  subsided ;  he  incessantly  sought 
opportunities  to  take  the  life  of  David.  On  one  occasion 
he  promised  to  give  him  his  daughter  Mlchal  to  wife,  if 
he  would  slay  one  hundred  Philistines.  Saul  thought  that 
David  could  never  return  alive  from  such  a  daring  expe- 
dition ;  but  he  was  disap|>ointed.  David  slew  two  hun- 
dred Philistines,  and  became  Saul's  son-in-law.  The  latter, 
nevertheless,  continued  to  hate  him  and  attempt  his  life, 
and  would  once  have  indeed  succeeded  in  carrying  out  his 
revengeful  design,  had  not  Michal  saved  her  husband. 
But  in  the  same  proportion  that  Saul's  hatred  against 
David  grew,  the  love  of  Jonathan  for  him  grew  in  strength 
and  fervor.  He  took  care  to  speak  always  with  the 
highest  praise  of  David,  and  endeavored  to  aj^pease  his 
father.  "Let  not  the  king  sin  against  his  servant,  against 
David" — thus  spoke  Jonathan  to  his  father — ''because  he 
hath  not  done  the  least  evil  against  thee;  nay,  he  hath 
even  risked  his  life  for  thee,  and  slain  the  Philistines: 
wherefore  then  wilt  thou  sin  against  innocent  blood,  to 
slay  David  without  a  cause  ?" 

13ut  these  intercessions  of  Jonathan's  produced  only  a 
transient  effect;  Saul's  hatred  soon  awoke  again,  and  Jon- 
athan himself  at  last  advised  David  n^  more  to  r^iuru  to 


BIBLICAL   HISTOET  FOB  ISBAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  83 

the  king's  palace,  because  he  still  sought  to  kill  him,  but 
rather  to  flee  and  escape. 

Upon  his  flight  David  came  to  the  city  of  Nob,  to 
Ahimelech  the  priest,  who  could  not  refuse  the  request  of 
the  king's  son-in-law,  and  gave  him  bread  and  the  sword 
of  Goliath.  Doeg^  an  Edomite,  and  one  of  Saul's  servants 
who  happened  to  be  present,  told  the  king  what  he  had 
seen.  The  latter,  thinking  that  Ahimelech  was  David's 
ally,  caused  eighty-five  priests  to  be  put  to  death,  and  de- 
stroyed the  whole  city. 

Thereupon  Saul  pursued  David  to  the  most  distant  parts 
of  the  wilderness ;    but  the  latter,   conscious  of  his   in- 
nocence, confided  in   God,  and  found  consolation  in  this 
confidence,  saying:  "God  is   my   help,  the   Lord   is   the 
staff*  of  my  life ;  God   is  with  me,  I   will   not  fear ;  what 
can  men  do  unto  mef     About  five  to   six  thousand  men 
joined   him   in   his   flight  from   Saul's   persecutions,    and 
although  several  opportunities  presented  themselves  when 
he  could  have  taken  the  life  of  the  king,  yet  he  was  too 
noble  hearted  to  take  revenge  upon   his  enemy,  and  too 
pious   to   lift   his  hand   against   the  anointed   head  of  his 
kirig.     Once  Saul   pursued   him  with  three  thousand  men, 
and  having  entered  a  cave  near  the  hiding-place  of  David, 
it  was  an  easy  matter  for   the  latter  to  take  his  life.     But 
the  noble  fugitive  would  do  him  no  harm.     He  secretly 
cut  a  piece  of  the  skirt  of  Saul's  robe,  and  cried  unto  him; 
*'  Behold,  my  lord  and  king !    the  skirt  of  thy  robe  in  my 
hand.     Know  and  see  that  there  is  neither  evil  nor  trans- 
gression in  my  hand,  and  that   my  heart  designeth  no  sin 
against  thee."     When  Saul  heard  these  words  he  wept, 
and   said  to   David:    "Thou   art  more  righteous  than  I. 
May  the  Lord  reward  thee  good  for  that  thou  hast  done 
unto  me  this  day." 

Shortly  afterwards,  Saul  again  pursued  David  in  the 
wilderness  of  Ziph.  One  night,  David  entered  with 
Abishai,  the  son  of  Zerujah,  the  camp  of  the  king,  and 
found  him  asleep,  with  his  spear  stuck  in  the  ground,  and 
a  cruse  of  water  near  by.  At  this  sight,  Abishai  said  to 
David :  "  God  hath  delivered  thine  enemy  into  thy  hand 
this  day :  now,  therefore,  let  me  smite  him,  I  pray  thee, 
with  the  spear  even  to  the  earth  at  once^  so  that  he  need 


84  BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

no  second  blow.''  But  David  said:  '* God  forbid  that  1 
should  stretch  forth  my  hand  against  the  Lord's  anointed! 
but,  I  pray  thee,  take  thou  now  the  spear  that  is  near  his 
bolster,  and  the  cruse  of  water,  and  let  us  go."  Abishaj 
did  as  David  had  bidden  him ;  whereupon  the  latter  went 
up  to  the  top  of  a  hill,  and  cried  to  Abner,  the  chief  cap- 
tain of  Saul,  saying:  "Abner,  art  thou  not  a  manlike 
whom  there  is  no  other  in  Israel  1  Indeed !  thou  watches^ 
carefully  over  thy  lord !  Do  but  see  where  the  king's 
spear  is,  and  the  cruse  of  water  that  was  at  his  bolster!" 
And  to  Saul  he  said :  "  Wherefore  doth  my  lord  thus  pur- 
sue after  his  servant?  for  what  have  I  done?  or  what  evil 
is  in  my  hand  ?  Cursed  be  he  that  hath  thus  stirred  thee 
up  against  me,  that  I  can  not  abide  in  the  land  of  the 
Lord  ?"  Saul  again  confessed  his  guilt,  and  said :  "  Re- 
turn, ray  son  David ;  for  I  will  no  more  do  thee  harm, 
because  my  soul  was  precious  in  thy  eyes  this  day." 
David  answered,  and  said :  "  Behold  the  king's  spear  * 
let  one  of  the  king's  young  men  come  over  and  fetch  it. 
The  Lord  may  render  to  every  one  his  righteousness  and 
faithfulness!  And  thus  they  again  parted  with  each 
other. 

The  hostilities  of  Saul  against  David  were  now  drawing 
to  a  close.  Having  been  defeated  in  a  battle  with  the 
Philistines,  the  king  threw  himself  on  his  own  sword.  In 
this  battle  his  three  sons  were  also  slain.  The  Philistines 
took  the  body  of  Saul  and  fastened  it  to  the  wall  of  Beth- 
shan,  as  a  token  of  their  victory.  When  the  inhabitants 
of  Jabesh-gilead  heard  of  this  outrage,  they  travelled 
through  a  whole  night,  took  the  body  of  Saul  at  the  risk 
of  their  lives,  carried  it  to  their  city  for  interment,  and 
fasted  seven  days  on  account  of  the  death  of  their  king. 

On  the  third  day  after  the  battle,  a  man  of  the  tribe  of 
the  Amalekites,  came  to  David,  with  his  clothes  rent,  and 
earth  upon  his  head,  and  informed  him  of  the  death  of 
Saul  and  his  sons.  *'  I  myself,"  he  added,  "  have  given 
him  the  last  death-blow  in  his  anguish,  and  brought  thee 
hither  his  crown  and  bracelet"  David  replied,  saying: 
**  How  wast  thou  not  afraid  to  stetch  forth  thy  hand  to 
destroy  the  Lord's  anointed?  His  blood  be  upon  thy 
head!"    He  then  commanded  one  of  his  young  men  to 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   I^OR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  85 

seize  and  slay  him,  and  wept  bitter  tears  of  grief  over 
Saul  and  his  sons,  and  expressed  his  feelings  in  a  most 
beautiful  hymn  of  mourning ;  but  he  was  especially  ag- 
grieved on  account  of  the  loss  of  his  faithful  friend  Jona- 
than. "I  am  distressed,"  he  exclaimed,  ''for  thee,  my 
brother  Jonathan!  Very  precious  hast  thou  been  unto 
me :  thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful,  passing  the  love  of 
all  others  I" 


§  52.     David,  King  of  Israel.     [2  Samuel  ii.-xii.] 

After  the  death  of  Saul,  David  and  his  men  went  to 
Hebron^  where  he  was  acknowledged  as  king  by  the  tribe 
of  Judah,  and  reigned  seven  and  a  half  years.  But  the 
other  tribes  elected  Ishhosheth,  the  son  of  Saul,  king  over 
themselves.  After  two  years,  Is;bbosheth  was  assassinated, 
and  some  time  afterwards  David  became  king  over  the 
whole  nation.  He  defeated  the  neighboring  heatlien 
nations,  and  extended  his  empire  to  the  river  Euphrates. 
He  made  Jerusalem  the  capital  of  the  country,  and  had 
the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  brought  there  with  great  exult- 
ation, festive  processions  and  solemnities.  His  piety  he 
manifested  above  everything  by  improving  Divine  Service. 
The  sufferings  which  he  had  to  endure  during  the  years  of 
his  youth,  taught  him  to  look  up  to  God  and  cling  to  Him. 
He  began  also  the  erection  of  a  magnificent  palace,  for 
which  king  Hiram,  of  Tyre,  with  whom  he  had  made  a 
treaty  of  commerce,  furnished  him  with  cedar-trees  and 
carpenters.  But  being  grieved  that  he  should  dwell  in  a 
magnificent  house  of  cedar,  whereas  the  Ark  of  God  stood 
in  a  simple  tent,  he  resolved  to  build  a  gorgeous  temple  to 
the  Lord.  But  the  prophet  Nathan  said  to  him,  in  the 
name  of  God:  "When  thou  shalt  sleep  with  thy  fathers, 
God  will  give  thy  kingdom  unto  thy  son,  and  he  shall 
build  a  Temple  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

When  Abner,  one  of  Saul's  captains,  was  treacherously 
mm-dered,  David  honored  him  with  a  solemn  funeral,  ac- 
companied him  in  person  to  his  last  resting-place,  and  pun- 
ished his  murderers.  Nor  did  he  forget  the  covenant  of 
friendship   which  he  had  concluded  with  Jonathan.     As 


86  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

soon  as  he  had  learned  that  there  existed  a  son  of  his,  he 
restored  his  inheritance  to  hira,  and  invited  him  every  day 
to  his  table.  Both  in  prosperity  and  in  adversity  he  looked 
up  to  God,  and  breathed  forth  the  fervor  of  his  soul  in 
sacred  songs,  which  we  still  possess  in  the  Booh  of  the 
Psalms,  that  bears  his  name. 

But  even  once  David  committed  a  gi'eat  sin,  and  thus 
sank  deeper  as  a  kinc^  tlian  he  could  ever  have  sunk  as  a 
simple  shepherd.  He  sent  a  man  to  the  army,  and  had  a 
post  assigned  to  him  during  battle,  where  his  death  was 
inevitable,  and  then  took  his  wife.  On  account  of  this 
great  crime,  the  prophet  Nathan  addressed  a  severe  speech 
of  reproof  to  him,  and,  in  the  name  of  God,  announced  to 
him  lasting  misery.  The  speech  of  Nathan  produced  the 
deepest  pain  in  the  heart  of  David,  which  was  followed  by 
his  most  sincere  and  fervent  repentance.  Throughout  the 
rest  of  his  life  he  was  filled  with  self-reproach ;  the  joy  of 
his  days  and  the  peace  of  his  soul  were  gone.  Although 
God  had  accorded  him  forgiveness,  yet  many  a  lieavy 
ti'ouble  was  the  reward  of  his  great  sin. 

Wealth  and  honor  cause  oft  pride, 

Bring  dangers  manifold ; 
Turn  the  heart  from  virtue's  side, 

ltd  former  strongest  hold. 


§  53.     The  Rebellion  of  Absalom.      Death  of  David, 
[2  Samuel  xiv.-xix.     1  Kings  L  iL] 

The  greatest  grief  which  befell  David,  was  caused  by 
his  son  Absalom.  Absalom  was  a  youth  of  great  beauty, 
but  also  of  a  wicked  heart,  and  continually  flattered  the 
people,  stirring  up,  at  the  same  time,  their  prejudices 
against  the  just  administration  of  his  father.  By  his 
crouching  affability,  he  gained  a  number  of  adherents. 
lie  went  even  so  far  in  his  ambition,  as  to  march  upon  Jeru- 
salem, with  the  view  of  robbing  his  father,  both  of  his 
throne  and  his  life.  David  was  compelled  to  flee,  and 
*'  went  up  by  tlie  ascent  of  mount  Olivet,  and  wept,  as  hi^ 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  87 

went  up,  and  had  his  head  covered,  and  he  went  barefoot : 
and  all  the  people  that  were  with  him  covered  every  man 
his  head,  and  they  went  up  weeping,  as  they  ascended  the 
mountain."  On  his  flight  from  Jerusalem,  Shimei,  of  the 
family  of  Saul,  met  him  and  said  to  him :  "  Come  out, 
come  out,  thou  bloody  man !  thou  wicked  man !  The  Lord 
now  revengeth  upon  thee  the  blood  of  Saul,  whose  throne 
thou  hast  usurped ;  now  He  has  taken  the  crown  from 
thee,  and  given  it  to  thy  son  Absalom !  and  behold !  now 
thou  art  in  trouble,  because  thou  art  a  bloody  man!" 
Then  said  Abishai  to  the  king;  "Why  should  this  dead 
dog  curse  my  lord  the  king'?  let  me  go  over,  I  pray  thee, 
and  take  off  his  head."  David  answered  and  said:  ''Let 
him  curse.  Behold  I  mir.3  own  son  seeketh  my  life;  how 
much  more  now  may  this  Benjamite  do  it  I  It  may  be  that 
the  Lord  will  look  upon  my  affliction  and  requite  me  good 
for  his  cursing  this  day."  David  continued  on  his  way, 
but  "  Shimei  went  along  on  the  hill's  side  over  against 
him,  and  cursed  as  he  went,  and  threw  stones  at  him,  and 
cartt  dust."  Barzillai^  a  venerable  old  man  of  eighty  years, 
acted  differently.  He  went  to  meet  David,  and  furnished 
him  and  his  men  with  provisions. 

David  now  gathered  his  men  and  intended  to  march  in 
person  against  his  rebellious  son;  but  his  faithful  fol- 
lowers would  not  consent  to  this,  and  requested  him  to 
let  them  go  to  battle  without  him.  David  yielded,  but 
commanded  them,  when  they  marched  forth,  saying: 
"Only  spare  my  son  Absalom!"  Tiie  battle  was  fought, 
and  the  men  of  David  defeated  his  enemies,  twenty  thou- 
sand of  whom  were  slain,  while  the  rest  took  to  flight. 
Absalom,  who  rode  on  a  mule,  was  caught  with  his  long 
hair  in  the  branches  of  an  oak,  so  that  his  mule  ran  off 
from  under  him.  A  man  who  saw  him  in  this  situation, 
ran  and  told  Joah^  who  was  the  chief  of  David's  men,  that 
Absalom  was  caught  in  an  oak.  Joab  took  three  darts  in 
his  hand,  and  thrust  them  through  the  heart  of  Absalom. 
Then  he  commanded  the  trumpets  to  be  blown  to  retreat, 
that  the  people  might  be  spared.  Two  messengers  went, 
one  after  the  other,  to  announce  to  David  that  his  people 
had  gained  the  victory.  The  first  of  them  would  not, 
however,  inform  him  of  the  death  of  Absalom.     When 


88  BIBLICAL   niSTORY   FOR   ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS. 

the  second  had  arrived,  David  again  asked :  **  Is  Absalom 
safe?"  The  messenger  replied :  May  all  the  enemies  of 
the  king  fare  like  Absalom!"  When  the  king  heard 
this  reply,  "  he  was  much  moved,  and  went  up  to  the 
chamber  over  the  gate,  and  wept;  and  as  he  went,  thus 
he  said,  O  my  son  Absalom,  my  s-jn,  my  son  Absalom ! 
would  God  I  had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom,  my  son !  my 
son !"  "  And  the  victory  that  day  was  turned  into  mourn- 
ing unto  the  people,  for  the  people  heard  that  day  how 
the  king  was  grieved  for  his  son." 

David  returned  as  king  to  Jerusalem,  and  was  greeted 
by  all  the  people  with  great  rejoicing.  Shiraei  also  came 
and  implored  the  king's  forgiveness,  when  Abishai  said: 
"Shall  now  Shimei  be  put  to  death  for  this  because  he 
cursed  the  Lord's  anointed!"  Rut  David  said  to  Shimei: 
**  Thou  shalt  not  die."  Others  who  had  remained  faithful 
to  the  king  during  the  revolt,  and  among  these  the  vener- 
able Barzillai,  received  the  blessing  of  David,  while  their 
children  received  other  substantial  rewards.  After  some 
other  calamities,  the  life  of  David  drew  to  its  close. 
When  he  felt  that  his  end  was  approaching,  he  assembled 
the  elders  of  Israel  at  Jerusalem  and  sa'd  to  them:  *'IIear 
me,  my  brethren,  and  my  people :  As  for  me,  I  had  in  my 
heart  to  build  a  house  of  rest  for  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
of  the  Lord ;  but  God  said  unto  me.  Thou  shalt  not  build 
a  house  for  my  name,  because  thou  hast  been  a  man  of 
war,  and  hast  shed  blood.  Solomon,  thy  son,  he  shall 
build  my  house  and  my  courts ;  for  I  have  chosen  him  to 
be  ray  son,  and  I  will  be  his  father.  Now,  therefore,  in 
the  sight  of  all  Israel,  the  congregation  of  the  Lord,  and 
in  the  audience  of  our  God,  keep  and  seek  for  all  the  com- 
mandments of  the  Lord  your  God :  that  ye  may  possess 
this  good  land,  and  leave  it  for  an  inheritance  for  your 
children  after  you  forever.  And  thou,  Solomon,  my  son, 
know  thou  the  God  of  thy  father,  and  serve  him  with  a 
perfect  heart  and  with  a  willing  mind :  for  the  Lord 
searcheth  all  hearts,  and  understandeth  all  the  imagina- 
tions of  the  thoughts :  if  thou  seek  Him,  He  will  be  found 
of  thee;  but  if  thou  forsake  him,  He  will  cast  thee  off 
forever.'*  And  the  princes  of  Israel  offered  for  the  house 
of  God  five  thousand  talents  of  gold,  ten  thousand  talents 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  89 

of  silver,  eighteen  thousand  talents  of  brass,  and  one 
hundred  thousand  talents  of  iron  ;  and  the  people  rejoiced, 
for  they  offered  willingly  with  all  their  hearts ;  and  David 
also  greatly  rejoiced,  and  praised  God,  and  spoke  before 
the  whole  congregation,  saying:  "Thine,  O  Lord,  is  the 
greatness,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  and  the  victory, 
and  the  majesty :  for  all  that  is  in  the  heaven  and  in  the 
earth  is  Thine !  Thine  is  the  kingdom,  O  Lord,  and  Thou 
art  exalted  as  head  above  all.  Both  riches  and  honor 
come  of  Thee,  and  Thou  reignest  over  all ;  and  in  Thy  hand 
is  p(  w  iv  and  might ;  and  in  thy  hand  it  is  to  make  great, 
and  to  give  strength  unto  all.  Now,  therefore,  our  God, 
we  thauic  Thee,  and  praise  Thy  glorious  name.  Rat  who 
am  I,  and  what  is  my  people,  that  we  should  be  able  to 
offer  so  willingly  after  this  sort  *?  for  all  things  come  of 
Thee,  and  of  Thine  own  have  we  given  Thee.  For  we  are 
strangers  before  Thee,  and  sojourners,  as  were  all  our 
fathers :  our  days  on  the  earth  are  as  a  shadow,  and  there 
is  none  abiding.  O  Lord  our  God,  all  this  store  that  we 
have  prepared  to  build  Thee  a  house  for  Thy  holy  name 
couieth  of  Thine  hand,  and  is  all  Thine  own.  I  know  also, 
my  God  that  Thou  triest  the  heart,  and  hast  pleasure  in 
uprightness.  As  for  me,  in  the  uprightness  of  my  heart  I 
have  offered  willingly  all  these  things,  and  I  have  seen 
with  joy  how  willingly  Thy  people  have  offered  unto 
Tliee.  O  Lord !  preserve  forever  such  devotion  and  such 
thoughts  in  the  heart  of  Thy  people,  and  incline  their 
hearts  forever  unto  Thee.  And  unto  my  son  Solomon  give 
an  upright  heart,  to  keep  Thy  commandments,  Thy  statutes, 
to  love  Thee,  and  serve  Thee  forever." 

And  when  the  hour  had  come  that  he  was  to  die,  he 
caused  Solomon  to  be  anointed  king  over  Israel,  and  all 
the  people  exclaimed:  "God  save  King  Solomon!"  Then 
David  called  Solomon  to  his  bedside,  and  said  to  him : 
"  I  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth ;  be  thou  therefore  strong, 
and  show  thyself  a  man ;  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 
and  keep  His  commandments,  that  thou  mayest  prosper  in 
all  that  thou  doest."  Then  David  fell  asleep  in  the  arms 
of  death,  and  was  buiied  in  the  "  (7%  of  DavicV     "  And 


90  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

the  days  that  David  reigned  over  Israel  were  forty  years; 
seven  years  reigned  he  in  Hebron^  and  thirty  and  thi'ee 
yeai's  reigned  he  in  Jtrusalem. 


§  54.     Solomon.     [1  Kings  ii.-xi.] 

Solomon  was  the  son  of  David,  and  disciple  of  the 
prophet  Nathan — could  he  be  but  wise  and  pious  ?  When 
he  entered  upon  the  government  of  Israel,  he  implored 
God,  not  for  earthly  treasures,  but  for  wisdom  and  under- 
standing, and  God  not  only  granted  his  petition,  but  gave 
him  also  power  and  riches. 

Soon  an  opportunity  presented  itself  to  Solomon  to  give 
proof  of  his  wisdom.  Two  mothers  once  came  to  him  for 
his  decision  in  a  contest  between  them.  One  of  them  said  2 
**  I  and  this  woman  slept  in  one  chamber.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  the  child  of  this  woman  died,  and  she  arose 
at  midnight,  and  took  my  child  from  beside  me,  and  laid 
her  dead  child  in  my  lap."  Now  the  other  replied,  saying: 
**  Nay :  but  the  living  is  my  child,  and  the  dead  is  thy 
child/*  Wlien  the  king  heard  these  words,  he  said: 
** Bring  me  a  sword;  divide  the  living  child  in  two,  and 
give  half  to  the  one  and  half  to  the  other."  The  right 
mother,  having  sympathy  with  her  child,  at  once  exclaimed: 
"  O  my  lord  I  give  her  the  living  chiUl,  and  in  no  wise 
slay  it."  From  these  words  the  king  perceived  that  she 
w:is  the  real  mother  of  the  child,  and  said :  **  Give  her  the 
living  child,  and  in  no  wise  slay  it;  she  is  the  mother 
thereof"  And  all  Israel  heard  of  this  wise  decision,  and 
Solomon's  fame  spread  in  distant  lands.  And  there  came 
of  all  people  to  see  him,  and  to  hear  his  wisdom.  His  pro- 
found thoughts  he  exhibited  in  short  sentences  and  maxims, 
a  great  portion  of  which  are  still  preserved,  and  form  one 
of  tlie  Biblical  books. 

So'omon  accpiired  also  immense  liches.  He  had  forty 
thousand  stalls  of  horses  for  his  chariots,  and  twelve 
thousand  horsemen.  The  country  enjoyed,  during  hid 
reign,  the  blessing  of  peace,  of  which  he  availed  himself 
for  the  benefit  of  his  people.     Ho   entered  into  treaties 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISII   SCHOOLS.  91 

With  other  nations,  and  these  promoted  the  commerce  and 
prosperity  of  Israel.  Ah-eady  in  the  fourth  year  of  his 
reign,  he  began  the  erection  of  the  magnificent  temple  on 
Mount  Moriah^  as  his  father  had  commanded  him.  He 
employed  thirty  thousand  men  who  cut  the  timber,  seventy 
thousand  porters  of  burdens,  and  eighty  thousand  hewers 
of  stone.  All  sacred  utensils,  the  altar,  the  candlesticks, 
and  the  door-hinges,  were  of  the  purest  gold ;  even  the 
walls  were  inlaid  with  gold.  After  seven  years  this  mag- 
nificent edifice  was  completed.  Now  Solomon  assembled 
the  whole  people  for  the  solemn  consecration  of  the  tem- 
ple, and  caused  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  to  be  carried 
from  Zion  into  the  sanctuary  with  great  pomp  and  solem- 
nities. He  himself  stepped  before  the  altar,  spread  forth 
his  hands  toward  heaven,  and  said :  "  Lord  God  of  Israel ! 
behold  the  heaven  and  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain 
Thee,  how  much  less  this  house  that  I  have  builded  ?  Yet 
have  thou  respect  unto  the  prayer  of  Thy  servant,  and  to 
his  supplication,  O  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry 
and  to  the  prayer  which  Thy  servant  prayeth  before  Thee 
lo-day :  that  Thine  eyes  may  be  open  toward  this  house 
night  and  day,  even  toward  the  place  of  which  Thou  hast 
tuaid,  '  My  name  shall  be  there :'  that  Thou  may  est  hearken 
unto  the  prayer  which  Thy  servant  shall  make  toward  this 
j)lace.  And  hearken  Thou  to  the  supplication  of  Thy  ser- 
">'ant,  and  of  Thy  people  Israel,  when  they  shall  pray  to- 
ward this  place :  and  hear  Thou  in  heaven,  Thy  dwelling- 
}4ace:  and  when  Thou  hearest,  forgive.  What  prayer 
and  supplication  soever  be  made  by  any  man,  or  by  all  Thy 
j)eople  Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man  the  plague  of 
ids  own  heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward  this 
liouse :  then  hear  Thou  in  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place,  and 
ibrgive,  and  do,  and  give  to  every  man  according  to  his 
ways,  whose  heart  Thou  knowest;  for  Thou,  even  Thou 
only,  knowest  the  hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men  ;  that 
they  may  fear  Thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  in  the 
land  which  Thou  gavest  unto  our  fathers.  Moreover  con- 
cerning a  stranger,  that  is  not  of  Thy  people  Israel,  but 
Cometh  out  of  a  far  country  for  Thy  name's  sake :  when 
he  shall  come  and  pray  toward  this  house;  hear  Thou 
in  heaven,  Thy  dwelling-place,  and  do  according  to  all  that 


92  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOIA 

the  stranger  calleth  to  Thee  for;  that  all  people  of  the 
earth  may  know  Thy  name,  to  fear  Thee,  as  do  Thy  peo- 
ple Israel;  and  that  they  may  know  that  this  house,  wliich 
I  have  builded,  is  called  by  Thy  name."  Then  Solomon 
stood  up,  blessed  the  whole  congregation,  and  said: 
** Praised  be  the  Lord!  the  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as 
he  was  with  our  fathers!"  And  the  king,  together  with 
all  Israel,  offered  sacrifices  before  the  Lord. 

Thus  the  whole  house  of  Israel  consecrated  the  temple 
of  the  Lord,  **and  blessed  the  king,  and  went  unto  their 
tents,  joyful  and  glad  of  heart,  for  all  the  goodness  that 
the  Lord  had  done  for  David  His  servant,  and  for  Israel 
His  people." 

Solomon  was  the  happiest  of  all  kings  of  Israel;  his 
power  and  dominion  increased  more  and  more.  But  to- 
ward the  end  of  his  reign,  his  heart  went  astray  from  God, 
and  he  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord.  On  account  of 
this,  God  announced  to  him  that  his  kingdom  should  not 
last.  This  prediction  soon  began  to  be  fulfilled ;  the  Ara- 
maeans of  Damascus  established  their  independence,  and 
revolts  were  attempted  even  among  the  Israelites.  But 
he  did  not  live  long  enough  to  see  tlie  result  of  these  re- 
bellions ;  he  died  after  a  reign  of  forty  years,  and  the 
calamity  announced  to  him  broke  upon  his  nation  soon 
aft«r  his  death. 


§  55.      The  Separation  of  tub  Kingdom.      3010  A.M. 
[1  Kings  xii.-xiv.] 

Solomon  having  dmined  the  people  by  heavy  taxes, 
and  the  nation  itself,  led  astray  by  the  evil  example  of  its 
king,  having  given  itself  up  to  increasing  luxuries,  became 
by  degrees  too  poor,  henceforth,  to  pay  the  usual  taxes. 
When,  therefore,  Behohoam,  the  son  of  Solomon,  had 
been  acknowledged  king  over  Israel,  the  whole  congrega- 
tion of  the  people  came  to  him,  saying:  "Thy  father  made 
our  yoke  grievous;  now,  therefore,  make  thou  the  griev- 
ous service  of  thy  father,  and  his  heavy  yoke  which  he 
put  upon  us,  lighter,  and  we  will  serve  thee."  Rehoboam, 
desirous  to  consider  the  matter,  requested  them  to  return 
after  three  days  for  his  answer.     In  the  meanwhile  he 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  93 

consulted  the  aged  and  experienced  counsellors  of  his 
father,  and  these  advised  him  to  yield  to  the  requests  of 
the  people.  But  his  younger  and  more  violent  friends 
advised  him  to  increase  the  burthens  of  the  nation,  and 
thus  to  humiliate  their  presumptuousness.  Now,  when  the 
people  returned  on  the  third  day,  the  king  said  to  them: 
*'My  father  made  your  yoke  heavy,  and  I  will  add  to  your 
yoke ;  my  father  chastised  you  with  whips,  but  I  will 
chastise  you  with  scorpions."*  Embittered  by  this 
haughty  reply,  ten  tribes  revolted,  and  chose  a  king  for 
themselves,  whose  name  was  tTeroboam.  Only  the  tribes 
of  Judah  and  Benjamin,  and  a  portion  of  the  Levites,  re- 
mained faithful  to  Rehoboam.  The  Kingdom  of  the  ten 
tribes  was  called  the  Kingdom  of  Israel,  and  that  of  the 
tribes  of  Judah  and  Benjamin,  the  Kingdom  of  J'udah, 
The  kingdom  of  Israel  was  governed,  in  succession,  by 
nineteen  kings,  who  at  first  resided  in  Shechein,  then  in 
Tirzah,  and  at  last  in  Samaria.  The  kingdom  of  Judah 
was  ruled  over,  in  succession,  by  twenty  kings,  all  of 
whom  resided  in  Jerusalem. 

The  dissolution  of  the  kingdom  produced  the  saddest 
results,  and  was  one  of  the  greatest  calamities  that  ever 
befell  the  people  of  Israel.  One  ki'ngdom  waged  war 
with  the  other;  one  king  supplanted  another;  the  worship 
of  God  was  neglected;  the  kings  and  the  people  sank 
deeper  and  deeper  into  idolatry,  vice  and  ignorance ;  the 
prosperity  of  the  country  vanished,  and  foreign  princes 
subjected  the  people  under  their  rule.  God  often  admon- 
ished them  to  mend  their  ways ;  but  His  admonitions 
were  of  little  or  no  avail ;  and  the  nation  thus  hastened 
toward  its  destruction. 

*  Scorpions  are  whips  armed  with  pointed  i,homs,  or  intertwisted 
with  iron  wires,  to  produce  severe  wounds  by  their  blows. 


§4  BIBUCAL    mSTOKY    FOK    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

C.    The  Kings  of  Israel. 

§  56.     Jeroboam. 

Jeroboam,  as  we  have  just  learned,  was  elected  king  of 
Israel,  and  made  Shecheiu  the  seat  of  his  government. 
Already,  during  the  reign  ot  king  Solomon,  the  prophet 
Ahiah  had  foretold  him  that  he  should  become  king,  and 
his  house  continue  to  reign,  if  he  would  walk  in  the  ways 
of  the  Lord.  But  Jeroboam  soon  went  astray.  His 
chief  object  was  to  secure  his  government,  to  build  strong 
cities,  and  employ  all  possible  means  to  maintain  himself 
in  opposition  to  Rehoboam.  He  introduced  idolatry  into 
Israel,  erected  two  golden  calves,  one  at  Bethel,  ami  the 
other  at  Dan,  and  caused  divine  adoration  to  be  paid  to 
them,  fearing  the  people  might  return  to  the  rule  of  Re- 
hoboam, if  it  continued  to  go  to  the  temple  of  Jerusalem. 
He  either  pei-formed  hrmself  the  priestly  functions,  or  se- 
lected the  priests  from  classes  of  the  people  tliat  were  not 
of  the  tribe  of  Levi,  and  changed  even,  in  a  most  high-handed 
manner,  the  days  of  the  Festivals.  The  people,  eillier 
from  ififnorance  or  the  desire  of  comfort  and  repose,  ma<le 
no  objection  to  these  sacrilegious  inroads  into  their  inher- 
ited religion.  But  God,  in  His  mercy,  sent  a  propliet  to 
admonish  the  king,  and,  at  the  same  time,  announce  to  him 
that  a  descendant  of  David  should  destroy  his  idjls.  But 
Jeroboam  did  not  repent  or  mend  his  ways.  All  at  once 
his  son  was  taken  sick,  and,  as  the  king  had  no  confidence 
in  his  own  idols,  he  sent  his  wife  in  disguise  to  the  J^ewish 
prophet  Ahiah,  to  learn  the  final  fate  of  his  child.  The 
prophet  informed  her  that,  before  she  should  have  passed  the 
threshold  of  her  house,  her  child  would  be  dead ;  and  that 
her  whole  race  should  be  blotted  out,  because  Jeroboam 
had  not  listened  to  God's  admonitions.  This  announce- 
ment was  fulfilled.  Jeroboam  died  after  a  reign  of  twenty- 
two  yeuis,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Nadab. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  95 

§  57.   The  Kings  of  Israel.    {Continued.) 
Nadab — Baasha — ^Elah — i!iiMRi — Omri — Ahab. 

N'adah,  the  son  of  Jeroboam,  was  slain,  together  with 
his  whole  family,  after  a  reign  of  two  years,  by  JBaasha^ 
who  then  ascended  the  throne  of  Israel.  Baasha  continued 
the  hostilities  which  Jeroboam  had  commenced  against 
the  kingdom  of  Judah,  removed  his  seat  of  government  to 
Th'zah,  carried  on  a  war  against  Asa,  king  of  Judah,  with 
ill  luck,  led  a  wicked  life,  and  died  after  a  reign  of  twenty- 
four  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  JElah^  who 
after  reigning  only  two  years,  was  assassinated  by  Zwiri, 
one  of  his  captains,  who  immediately  proclaimed  himself 
king,  and  slew  the  whole  family  of  Elah.  But  Zimri 
reigned  only  seven  days ;  for  an  army  of  Israelites,  that 
was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Gibhethon,  a  city  of  the 
Philistines,  having  heard  of  his  conspiracy,  proclaimed 
their  leader,  Omri,  king  of  Israel.  When  Zimri  heard  this 
and  found  that  he  was  without  all  hope  of  escape,  he 
retired  to  his  palace,  set  it  on  fire,  and  perished  in  the 
flames. 

The  people  were  now  divided  into  two  parties ;  but  the 
party  of  Omri  maintained  the  ascendancy,  and  he  was 
proclaimed  king  by  the  people  also. 

He  removed  the  seat  of  government  to  Samaria,  and 
"  wrought  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  did  worse 
than  all  that  wpre  before  him."  He  reigned  twelve  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Ahab,  one  of  the  most 
wicked  kin^s  that  ever  ruled  over  Israel.  His  reign  lasted 
twenty- r wo  years — along  period  under  such  an  impious 
feing  1  Sin  and  destruction,  nurtured  for  such  a  long  time, 
could  take  firui  root.  He  was  not  content  with  following 
the  example  of  Jeroboam,  to  renew  the  worship  of  calves 
and  idols,  and  build  altars  and  temples  to  false  gods,  but 
married  also  Jezebel,  the  daughter  of  the  Sidonian  prince 
Ethbaal,  and  practised,  with  the  view  of  pleasing  and 
honoring  her,  the  idolatry  of  her  people,  the  worship  of 
Baal,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  even  at  the  seat  of  the 
government.  Idolatry  now  became  the  religion  of  the 
land,  and  the  difference  between  Israelites  and  heathens 


96  BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

thus  vanished  from  the  country.  And  since  that  time, 
false  worship  never  ceased  in  the  kingdom  of  Israel.  The 
prophets  of  the  Lord  were  slain,  and  their  place  given  to 
four  hundred  prophets  of  Baal,  and  four  hundred  prophets 
of  the  Worship  of  the  Groves.  Such  wickedness  had 
thitherto  not  been  committed  in  Israel. 

In  the  days  of  Ahab,  there  lived  a  prophet  in  G^lead, 
named  Elijah,  with  the  surname  of  Tishhi.  He  suddenly 
came  forth  from  his  solitude,  stepped  before  Ahab,  and 
said  to  him  in  the  name  of  God:  *' As  the  Lord  God  of 
Israel  liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  there  shall  not  be  dew 
nor  rain  during  these  years,  unless  I  command  it." 

This  prophecy  was  soon  followed  by  its  fulfillment.  A 
long  drought  caused  a  fearful  famine,  want  and  miseiy  in 
Israel ;  the  fields  lay  parched,  and  men  and  animals  longed 
for  refreshing  waters ;  Elijah,  however  at  the  command  of 
God,  was  fed  by  ravens,  in  his  concealment  near  the  Brook 
Cherith.  But  this  brook  also  dried  up  after  some  time, 
and  God  said  to  Elijah :  **  Arise,  get  thee  to  Zarephath ; 
there  a  widow  shall  sustain  thee."  Elijah  obeyed ;  and 
when  he  came  to  the  jgate  of  the  city,  he  met  the  widow 
just  engaged  in  gathering  wood;  he  said  to  her:  "Fetch 
me,  I  pray  thee,  a  little  water,  that  I  may  drink,  and  a 
morsel  of  bread  to  eat."  The  widow  replied,  saying:  *' As 
the  Lord  liveth,  I  have  no  bread,  but  only  a  handful  of 
meal  and  a  little  oil ;  and  behold,  I  am  now  gathering  a 
little  wood,  that  I  may  prepare  a  repast  for  myself  and 
my  son,  alas!  perhaps  the  last  we  shall  have  on  earth!" 
And  Elijah  said  to  her:  *'Fear  not;  the  Lord  shall  not 
Piifter  thee  to  be  in  want — do  as  I  have  requested  thee." 
The  good  widow  went  and  gave  the  prophet  the  only  food 
left  in  her  house,  and  God  afterwards  provided  her  with 
all  necessary  means  for  her  subsistence.  Her  son,  also, 
who  was  in  a  dying  state,  rose  again  upon  the  prayer  oi 
•Elijah,  and  fully  regained  his  health. 


biblical  history  foii  iskaelltish  schools.  97 

§  58.   Elijah  and  Ahab. 

The  famine  and  misery  increased  more  and  more  in  the 
land,  so  that  the  king  himself  was  compelled  to  travel 
about  to  seek  food  and  water  for  his  horses.  At  last,  God 
had  again  mercy  upon  His  people,  and  said  to  Elijah : 
'*  Go  and  show  thyself  to  Ahab ;  for  now  I  will  again  send 
rain  upon  the  earth."  When  Ahab  and  Elijah  met,  the 
latter  said  to  the  prophet:  ''Art  thou  he  that  troubleth 
Israel.?"  Elijah  replied,  saying:  "Not  I  have  troubled 
Israel ;  but  thou  and  thy  father's  house,  in  that  ye  have 
forsaken  the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  and  thou  hast 
followed  the  idols  of  Baal.  Now,  therefore,  send  and 
gather  to  me  all  Israel  unto  Mount  Carmel^  .and  the  pro- 
phets of  Baal  four  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  prophets  of 
the  groves  four  hundred,  that  eat  at  Jezebel's  table." 

When  Ahab  had  complied  with  this  command,  Elijah 
stepped  before  the  assembly  of  the  people,  and  addressed 
them  thus:  ''How  long  halt  ye  between  two  opinions? 
if  the  Lord  be  God,  follow  him :  but  if  Baal,  then  follow 
him."  And  the  people  answered  him  not  a  word.  Then 
said  Elijah  unto  the  people:  ''I,  even  I  only,  remain  a 
prophet  of  the  Lord ;  but  Baal's  prophets  are  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men.  Let  them  therefore  give  us  two  bul- 
locks; and  let  them  choose  one  bullock  for  themselves, 
and  cut  it  in  pieces,  and  lay  it  on  wood,  and  put  no  fire 
under;  and  I  will  dress  the  other  bullock,  and  lay  it  on 
wood,  and  put  no  fire  under:  and  call  ye  on  the  name  of 
your  gods,  and  I  will  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord;  and 
the  God  that  answereth  by  fire,  let  him  be  God."  And 
all  the  people  answered  and  said :  "  It  is  well  spoken." 
And  Elijah  said  unto  the  prophets  of  Baal :  "  Choose  you 
one  bullock  for  yourselves,  and  dress  it  first ;  for  ye  are 
many :  and  call  on  the  name  of  your  gods,  but  put  no  fire 
under."  And  they  took  the  bullock  which  was  given  them, 
and  they  dressed  it,  and  called  on  the  name  of  Baal  from 
morning  even  until  noon,  saying:  '•  O  Baal,  hear  us." 
But  there  was  no  voice,  nor  any  that  answered.  And  they 
leaped  upon  the  altar  that  was  made.  And  it  came  to  pass 
at  noon,  that  Elijah  mocked  them,  and  said :  "Cry  aloud  : 
for  he  i»  a  god ;  either  ho  is  talking,  or  he  is  pursuing,  or 


98  BIBLICAL   UISTOBT   FOB   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS. 

he  is  in  a  journey,  or  peradventure  he  sleepeth,  and  must 
be  awakened."  And  they  cried  aloud,  and  cut  themselves 
after  their  manner  with  knives  and  lancets,  till  the  blood 
gushed  out  upon  them. 

Elijah  then  built  an  altar,  made  a  trench  around  it, 
an-anged  the  wood,  cut  the  bullock  in  pieces,  and  laid  him 
upon  the  wood.  When  the  time  of  the  evening  sacrifice 
had  come,  the  prophet  prostrated  himself  to  the  earth,  and 
prayed  thus:  "Lord  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  of 
Israel,  let  it  be  known  this  day  that  Thou  art  God  in  Israel, 
and  that  I  am  Thy  servant,  and  that  I  have  done  all  these 
things  at  Thy  word.  Hear  me,  O  Lord,  hear  me,  that 
this  people  may  know  that  Thou  art  the  Lord  God,  and 
that  Thou  hast  turned  their  heart.s  back  again."  This  was 
but  a  short  prayer,  but  it  came  from  the  depth  of  the  pro- 
phet's heart,  and  God  hearkened  to  it:  lightening  de- 
scended from  heaven,  and  consumed  the  burnt-sacrifice. 
And  the  people,  seeing  all  this  with  their  own  eyes,  fell 
upon  their  faces,  and  exclaimed  with  one  voice :  "  The 
Lord  alone  is  God!  The  Lord  alone  is  GodP'  But 
Elijah  said  to  them:  "Take  the  propliets  of  Baal !"  The 
people  fulfilled  this  command,  and  put  them  to  death  at 
the  brook  Kishon.  And  the  heavens  grew  black  with 
thick  clouds — abundant  rain  poured  down,  and  refreshed 
the  soil,  so  that  shortly  afterwards  there  was  again  plenty 
of  food  in  the  land  of  Israel. 

This  event  caused  the  people  to  improve;  but  Ahab 
continued  in  his  wonted  wickedness;  he  still  remained 
the  blind  tool  of  his  impious  wife,  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
following  occurrence :  Nahoth^  the  Jezreelite,  had  a  vine- 
yard hard  by  the  king's  palace.  Ahab  desired  to  possess 
this  vineyard,  but  Naboth  would  not  part  with  it,  because 
it  was  an  inheritance  of  his  fathers.  This  refusal  filled  the 
king  with  displeasure  and  sorrow,  that  he  could  neither 
eat  nor  drink.  But  his  wife  soon  found  means  to  gi'atify 
the  desire  of  her  royal  consort.  She  hired  false  witnesses 
who  accused  Naboth  of  treason  and  blasphemy.  The 
poor  Naboth  was  found  guilty,  and  stoned  to  death ; 
whereupon  Ahab  quietly  took  possession  of  the  vineyard. 
Now  Elijah  stepped  before  him,  and  said:  "Hast  thou 
killed,  and  also  takeo  possession  t     Behold !  in  the  place 


BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  99 

where  dogs  licked  the  blood  of  Naboth,  there  dogs  sliall 
lick  thy  blood,  even  thine ;  and  dogs  shall  eat  Jezebel  by 
the  wall  of  Jezreel." 

Shortly  afterwards,  Ahab  declared  war  to  the  Syrians, 
although  a  prophet  of  the  Lord  had  announced  to  him 
that  he  should  not  return  alive.  And  so  it  happened.  A 
man  drew  his  bow,  as  by  chance,  and  his  arrow  hit  the 
king  in  the  heart ;  wherefore  he  said  to  the  driver  of  his 
chariot:  ''Turn  thy  hand,  and  carry  me  out  of  the  host; 
for  I  am  wounded."  The  driver  of  the  king's  chariot  did 
as  his  master  had  commanded.  Towards  evening  Ahab 
was  dead.  As  the  blood  from  his  wounds  had  soiled  hia 
chariot,  it  was  washed  in  the  pool  of  Samaria,  and  dogs 
licked  it  up,  as  the  prophet  had  predicted.  Such  art3 
God's  judgments ! 


§  59.  Ahaziah — Jehoram — Jehu — Jezebel's  Death. 

Ahab  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Ahaziah^  who  led  an 
impious  life,  like  his  parents.  He  reigned  only  two  years, 
and  died  in  consequence  of  a  fall  through  a  lattice  in  his 
upper  chamber.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  Jeho- 
ram^ who  did  evil  in  the  eyes  of  God,  but  carried  his 
wickedness  not  so  far  as  his  father  Ahab.  One  day  a 
disciple  of  the  prophets  came  to  Hamoth  and  said  to  tfehic, 
one  of  the  Israelitish  captains:  '*I  have  come  to  anoint 
thee  king  over  the  people  of  the  Lord,  over  Israel.  And 
thou  shalt  smite  the  house  of  Ahab  thy  master,  that  I  may 
avenge  the  blood  of  my  servants,  the  prophets,  and  the 
blood  of  all  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  at  the  hand  of 
Jezebel."  Jehu  at  once  marched  toward  Jezreel,  where 
Jehoram,  and  Ahaziah,  king  of  Judah,  just  then  sojourned. 
When  Jehoram  learned  from  the  watchman  on  the  tower 
that  an  army  was  approaching,  he  went  with  Ahaziah  to 
meet  Jehu,  with  a  view  of  inducing  him  to  peace  and 
friendship.  They  met  in  the  vineyard  of  Naboth,  and 
Jehoram  asked  Jehu:  ''Is  it  peace?"  The  latter  replied: 
''What!  peace,  so  long  as  the  outrages  of  thy  mother 
Jezebel  and  her  witchcrafts  are  so  many  ?"  When  Jeho- 
ram heard  these  words  he  attempted  to   fly:  but  Jehu 


100  BIBLICAL   HISTOKY    FOll   ISRAEIATISH    SCHOOLS. 

drew  a  bow  with  his  full  strength,  and  shot  an  arrow 
through  his  heart  Then  he  said" to  his  captain  Bidkar  : 
*'  Take  him  up,  and  cast  him  into  the  field  of  Naboth  ;  for 
I  remember  what  the  Lord  hath  said,  '  I  will  avenge  the 
blood  of  Naboth  in  this  field.'  '*  Thus  Ahab's  blood  flow- 
ing forth  from  the  veins  of  his  son,  was  shed,  according  to 
the  divine  announcement,  upon  the  same  gi'ound  which 
had  drunk  the  innocent  blood  of  Naboth.  When  Ahor 
ziah  saw  the  gloomy  death  of  Jehoram,  he  attempted  to 
fly,  but  Jehu  pursued  him,  and  caused  him  also  to  be 
slain. 

Jehu  then  continued  his  way  toward  Jezreel.  Wlien 
Jezebel  heard  of  his  approach,  she  painted  her  face,  orna- 
mented her  head,  looked  out  from  the  window  of  the 
palace,  and  said  to  Jehu:  "Had  Zimri  peace,  who  slew 
his  master  ?"  Jehu  lifted  up  his  eyes  to  the  window,  and 
Baid  to  the  chamberlains  that  stood  by  her:  *'  Throw  her 
down !"  They  immediately  obeyed  this  command,  and 
her  blood  was  spnnkled  upon  the  wall,  and  her  body 
trampled  by  the  hoofs  of  the  horses  in  the  street.  When 
Jehu,  after  some  hours,  ordered  her  burial,  no  more  of  her 
was  found  than  her  skull,  her  feet,  and  her  hands;  for 
dogs  had  eaten  up  the  rest.  Thus  the  words  of  the  pro- 
phet were  fulfilled. 


§  60.     The  Prophet  Eijsha.     [2  Kings  ii.-vl] 

One  of  the  most  faithful  disciples  of  Elijah  was  JEllsha- 
God  himself  commanded  Elijah  to  anoint  him  to  be  pro- 
phet in  his  stead,  which  he  did,  when  he  met  him  as  he 
was  ploughing  the  field  of  his  father,  by  throwing  his 
mantle  upon  him.  By  this  symbolical  act  he  meant  to 
say :  "  Be  what  I  am,  a  prophet  of  God,  and  follow  me!" 
Elisha,  at  once  understood  the  symbol,  letl  his  oxen,  and 
said  to  Elijah  :  "  Let  me,  I  pray  thee,  kiss  my  father  and 
my  mother,  and  then  I  will  follow  thee.'*  This  request 
being  granted,  EUsha  did  as  he  had  asked,  and  thence- 
forth accompanied  his  master  everywhere,  and  became  a 
most  zealous  servant  of  God.  When  Elijah  felt  that  his 
end  was  approaching,  he  said  to  Elisha:  '*  Ask  what  I 
shall  do  for  thee,  before  I  be  taken  away  from  thee." 


BIBUCAL   HISTORr   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS-  101 

Eiittha  answered:  "I  pray  thee,  let  a  double  portion  of 
thy  spirit  be  upon  me."  His  later  acts  proved  that  God 
fulfilled  this  noble  wish.  How  he  delighted  to  do  good 
and  help  the  Buffering,  may  be  seen  from  the  following 
narrative. 

Naaman^  the  general  of  the  Syrian  king,  was  stricken 
with  leprosy.  An  Israelitish  maiden,  who  waited  on  Naa- 
man's  w^ife,  said  to  her  mistress :  "  Would  God  my  Lord 
were  with  the  prophet  Elisha !  for  he  would  cure  him  of 
his  leprosy."  Naaman  at  once  acted  upon  this  wish,  and 
went  with  his  horses  and  his  chariot  and  many  presents  to 
the  prophet.  Elisha  sent  a  messenger  to  him,  saying : 
*'Go  and  wash  in  Jordan  seven  times,  and  thou  shalt  be 
clean."  But  Naaman  got  angry  at  this  speech,  and  said : 
*' Behold,  I  thought  he  would  surely  come  out  to  me,  and 
call  on  the'name  of  the  Lord  his  God,  and  move  his  hand 
over  the  plac§,  and  thus  cure  me  of  my  disease."  His 
servants  endeavored  to  pacify  him,  and  said:  "If  the  pro- 
phet had  bid  thee  do  some  great  thing,  wouldst  thou  not 
have  done  it  I  How  much  rather,  then,  when  he  saith  to 
thee,  '  Wash  and  be  clean  V "  These  words  produced  a 
proper  effect.  Naaman  descended  from  his  chariot,  dip- 
ped himself  seven  times  in  Jordan,  and  behold!  he  rose 
from  the  water  entirely  clean  from  leprosy.  Full  of  joy, 
he  at  once  returned  to  Elisha,  and  said :  "  Behold^  now  I 
know  that  there  is  no  God  in  all  the  earth  like  the  God  of 
Israel  /"  He  then  offered  him  precious  gifts  as  a  reward 
for  his  cure ;  but  the  prophet  refused  to  accept  them,  well 
satisfied  with  this,  that  he  had  made  him  a  worshipper  of 
his  God. 

But  Gehazi^  the  prophet's  servant,  did  not  entertain  the 
same  noble  thoughts.  When  Naaman  had  left  the  house, 
he  ran  after  him  and  asked  of  him,  in  the  name  of  his  mas- 
ter, one  talent,  and  two  changes  of  garments.  Naaman 
most  joyfully  gave  him  even  more  than  he  had  asked. 
When  Elisha,  who  had  not  sent  his  servant,  heard  of  this 
fraud,  he  got  very  angry,  and  severely  reproved  him  for 
his  shameful  conduct.  Nor  did  God  let  Gehazi  go  unpun- 
ished for  his  fraud  and  extortion ;  the  leprosy  of  Naaman 
came  over  him,  so  that  he  was  all  over  his  body  as  white 
as  snow. 


102  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCIIOOIA 

One  day,  when  Elisha  was  going  towards  the  town  of 
Beth-el,  some  rude  boys  came  from  the  city  and  mocked 
him,  saying:  "Go  up,  thou  bald  head  I  go  up,  thou  bald 
head!"  The  prophet  looked  at  them,  and  told  them  that 
it  could  not  be  well  with  such  ill-bred  and  mischievous 
children.  And  his  words  were  soon  fullilled.  No  sooner 
had  he  concluded  his  speech,  than  two  bears  came  forth 
from  the  woods,  and  tore  forty-two  of  them  in  pieces. 

Elisha  tilled  the  office  of  prophet  for  more  than  fifty 
years  after  the  death  of  Elijah,  under  the  reign  of  the 
kings  J'ehoram,  tTehu,  Jehoahaz^  and  Jehoash.  When  the 
aged  proj)het  lay  upon  his  death-bed,  king  Jehoash  paid 
him  a  visit,  wept,  and  exclaimed:  "  O  my  father,  my 
father,  the  chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horses  thereof  I" 


§  Gl.     The  Prophet  Jonab# 

At  the  time  of  Jeroboam  II. ^  king  of  Israel,  who  was 
the  son  of  Johoash,  there  lived  lonah^  whom  the  Lord 
liad  ap|)ointed  not  only  prophet  for  Israel,  but  also  for  the 
heathens.  He  sent  him  to  Nineveh,  the  capital  of  Assyria, 
wliich  WJ18  from  fifty  to  sixty  miles  long,  "to  cry  against 
it,  because  their  wickedness  had  come  up  before  jflim." 
But  Jonah,  instead  of  obeymg  the  divine  command,  went 
on  board  a  ship  to  go  to  Tarshish,  and  thus  to  flee  from 
God.  But  God  stirred  up  a  fierce  tempest,  a  mighty 
thunderstorm  arose,  and  the  ship  was  near  being  foundered. 
The  sailors  became  greatly  alarmed,  and  every  one  of 
them  prayed  to  his  God.  But  Jonah  being  unable  to 
pray,  because  his  conscience  naturally  troubled  him  on  ac- 
count of  his  evil  deed,  went  down  into  the  hollow  of  the 
ship  and  fell  asleep.  Then  the  ship-master  went  to  him, 
and  said :  "  What  meanest  thou,  O  sleeper  ?  Arise,  call 
upon  thy  Godt  Perhaps  thp  God  will  think  upon  us,  that 
we  perish  not 

Then  the  superstitious  heathen  mariners  said  to  one 
anotlier:  "Come,  and  let  us  cast  lots,  that  we  may  know 
for  whose  cause  this  evil  is  upon  us."  The  lot  fell  upon 
Jonah.  Yet  the  mariners,  though  they  were  hut  heathens, 
bad  pity  upon  him,  and  hesitated  to  deliver  him  up  to  the 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  103 

stoi*my  waves.  Once  more  they  attempted  to  bring  their 
ship  to  the  shore :  but  seeing  that  all  their  exertions  were 
in  vain,  they  cast  him  into  the  sea ;  and  behold  1  the  sea 
immediately  ceased  to  rage.  But  by  God's  wonderful  or- 
dination, Jonah  was  delivered  from  the  waves,  and  he 
reached  the  land  in  safety.  And  now  he  hastened  to  Nine- 
veh and  cried  aloud:  *' Yet  forty  days,  and  Nineveh  shall 
be  overthrown!" 

This  proclamation   of  the  prophet  produced  the  most 
salutary   effect ;  all  the   inhabitants  of  the  city,  from  the 
greatest  even  to  the  least  of  them,  repented  and  turned 
from  their   evil   ways;   the   kmg  himself  arose  from  his 
throne,  laid  off  his  royal  robe,  covered  himself  with  sack- 
cloth, sat  in  ashes,  and  caused  the  following  proclamation 
to  me  made  in  Nineveh :  "  Let  neither  man  nor  beast,  herd 
nor  flock,  taste  any  thing ;  let  them  not  feed,  nor  drink 
water :  But  let  men  and  beast  be  covered  with  sackcloth, 
and  cry  mightily  unto  God :  yea,  let  them  turn  every  one 
from  his  evil  way,  and  from  the  violence  that  is  in  their 
hands.     Who  can  tell  if  God  will  turn  and  repent,    and 
turn   away  from   His   fierce   anger,  that  we   perish  not?'* 
The   people  obeyed  the  exhortation  of  their  worthy  king, 
and  repented :  and  the  Lord,  seeing  that  they  had  turned 
from  their  evil  ways,  did  not  send  the  threatened  calami- 
ties, but  spared  the  city.     Jonah  grew  indignant  at  the 
compassion  thus  shown  to  Nineveh,  and  prayed:   *'I  pray 
Tucc,  O  Lord,  was  not  this  my  saying,  when  I  was  yet  in 
my  country*?     Therefore  I  fled  before  unto  Tarshish:  for 
I  knew  that  Thou  art  a  gracious  God,  and  merciful,  slow  to 
anger,  and  of  great  kindness,  and  repentest  Thee   of  the 
evil.     Therefore  now,  O  Lord,  take,  I  beseech   Thee,  my 
life  from  me ;  for  it  is  better  for  me  to  die  than  to  live." 
But  the  Lord  reproved  him  in  a  most  indulgent  manner. 
Jonah  having  seated  himself  outside   of  the  city,  to   see 
what  would  become  of  it,  God  caused  a  gourd  to  grow, 
which  afforded  him  refreshing  shade,  and  protection  from 
the  burning  rays  of  the  sun.      The   prophet  exceedingly 
rejoiced  at  this  gourd.    But  God  sent,  on  the  next  morning, 
a  worm,  which  destroyed  the  gourd ;  and  the  sun  beat  so 
severely  on  the   head   of  Jonah,  that  he  grew  faint,  and 
again  wished  to   die.      Then  said  God  to  him:    "Doest 


104  BIBLICAL   HISTORY  FOR    ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS. 

thou  well  to  be  angry  for  the  gourd  I  Thou  hast  had  pity 
on  the  gourd,  for  the  which  thou  hast  not  labored,  neithei 
madest  it  grow  :  which  came  up  in  a  night  and  perished 
in  a  night:  And  should  I  not  spare  Nineveh,  that  great 
city,  wherein  are  more  than  six-score  thousand  persona 
that  can  not  discern  between  their  right  hand  and  theii 
left  hand ;  and  also  much  cattle  1" 


§  62.     Job. 

Other  instances  also  are  found  in  the  ancient  world, 
which  show  that  strong  virtuous  sentiments,  and  fear  of 
God,  sometimes  lived  in  the  hearts  of  non-Israelites.  Thus 
Holy  writ  relates  that  there  dwelt  once  in  the  land  of  ITz 
a  very  rich  and  pious  man,  named  Job.  He  had  seven 
sons  and  three  daughters,  seven  thousand  sheep,  three 
thousand  camels,  five  hundred  yoke  of  oxen,  five  hundred 
she-asses,  and  a  very  numerous  household.  Being  a  very 
pious  man,  with  all  his  wealth,  he  enjoyed  the  greatest 
happiness.  But  God,  wishing  to  try  him,  whether  he 
would  remain  constant  in  adversity,  visited  him  with 
heavy  afllictions.  His  children,  his  cattle,  and  all  else  that 
he  possessed,  perished.  Yet,  he  did  not  murmur,  but  ex- 
claimed :  "  l^he  Lord  gam,  the  Lord  hcUh  taken  away^ 
blessed  be  the  name  of  tfie  Lord!*'  He  himself  was  tni-  n 
sick,  and  became  so  leprous,  that  he  sat  upon  a  dun  ,. 
and  took  a  potsherd  to  scrape  the  sores  from  his  body. 
Still  he  remained  pious  and  God-fearing.  Then  said  his 
wife  to  him  :  **  Dost  thou  still  retain  thine  integrity  ?"  to 
which  Job  answered :  "  Thou  speakest  as  one  of  the  fool- 
ish women  speaketh.  What!  shall  we  receive  good  at 
the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  also  ?" 
And  he  still  persevered  in  his  trust  m  God. 

Three  of  his  friends,  Eliphaz,  Bildad^  and  Zopha,  heard 
of  the  afiiiction  which  had  befallen  him,  and  agreed  to  visit 
and  console  him  in  his  suflerings.  When  they  raised  their 
eyes  afar  ofi*,  and  could  hardly  recognize  their  friend,  they 
wept,  sat  down  with  him  upon  the  ground  seven  days  and 
seven  nights,  and  did  not  speak  to  him ;  for  they  saw  that 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  103 

his  grief  was  very  great.  After  this,  Job  opened  his 
mouth  and  complained  of  his  excessive  sufferings:  yet, 
the  innocence  and  purity  of  his  own  conscience,  and  his 
confidence  in  God's  justice,  afforded  him  consolation.  But 
his  friends  thought  that  his  sufferings  had  been  caused  by 
some  guilt  of  his,  since  God  never  inflicted  woe  upon  man, 
unless  he  deserved  it  in  consequence  of  his  sin.  Such 
speeches  grieved  the  unhappy  Job  very  much ;  his  inward 
pain  increased,  and  he  cursed  the  day  on  which  he  was 
born.  But  soon  the  piety  of  his  heart,  and  his  love  for 
God,  awoke  again,  and  he  consoled  himself  with  the  reflec- 
tion :  "I  know  that  my  God  liveth,  who  will  awaken  mo 
from  death  unto  everlasting  life." 

By  his  patience  and  constancy,  he  regained  the  grace 
and  favor  of  God.  The  Lord  restored  to  him  all  that  he 
had  lost,  and  even  redoubled  his  former  wealth.  His  re- 
latives and  friends  visited  him  again,  ate  with  him,  and 
sympathized  with  him. 

After  this.  Job  lived  yet  one  hundred  and  forty  years, 
saw  his  sons,  his  sons'  sons,  even  to  the  fourth  generation, 
and  died,  very  old  and  full  of  days. 


§  63.     The  Destruction  op  the  Kingdom  op  Israel. — 
The  Prophets.     [2  Kings  xvii.]    3268  A.M. 

While  the  only  exhortation  to  repentance  addressed  by 
the  prophet  Jonah  to  the  heathen  inhabitants  of  Nineveh, 
produced  the  desired  effect,  the  Israelites  remained  un- 
moved by  a  hundred  similar  admonitions.  They  heaped 
sin  upon  sin,  misdeed  upon  misdeed  I  All  the  successors 
of  Ahab  were  wicked,  and  misled  the  people  to  idolatry 
and  vice.  For  this  reason  God  sent  several  prophets  to 
admonish  them  to  repent,  to  announce  His  judgments, 
and  at  the  same  time,  proclaim  His  mercy,  if  they  would 
return  from  their  evil  ways. 

Hosea  arose,  announced  the  approaching  destruction  of 
the  kingdom,  and  the  captivity  of  its  inhabitants,  if  they 


106  BIBLICAL    HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

would  not  repent.  '*  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,"  he  ex- 
claimed,  "  ye  children  of  Israel !  Ye  swear,  and  steal,  and 
mnrdcr,  and  commit  violence,  and  heap  crime  upon  crime. 
But  the  time  of  judgment  shall  come,  when  the  Lord  will 
reject  you,  and  disperse  you  among  the  nations,"  On  the 
other  hand,  llosea  promised  them  also  the  loving  forgive- 
ness of  the  Lord,  it  they  would  repent  and  return  to  Ilim. 

Amos,  who  was  a  shepherd  at  Tekoa,  and  afterwards 
became  a  prophet,  proclaimed  his  prophecies  at  Beth-el, 
where  the  Israelites  worshipped  calves.  Although  he  had 
not  been  trained  in  the  schools  of  prophets,  yet  he  under- 
stood it  well,  to  expose  in  soul-stirring  speeches,  even 
in  the  face  of  kings,  the  atrocious  deeds  of  Israel.  "  Hear, 
ye  lords  of  Samaria,"  he  exclaimed,  "  who  oppress  the 
poor,  who  crush  the  needy,  who  say  to  their  masters, 
Bring,  and  let  us  drink.  The  Lord  hath  sworn  by  His 
holiness,  that,  behold !  the  days  shall  come  upon  you,  that 
He  will  take  you  away  with  hooks,  and  your  posterity 
with  fish-hooks.  I  will  send  you  into  captivity,  and  I  will 
sifl  the  house  of  Israel  among  all  nations,  as  the  corn  is 
sifted  in  a  sieve,  yet  shall  not  the  least  grain  fall  upon  the 
earth.  All  the  sinners  of  my  people  shall  die  by  the  sword, 
who  say,  '  The  evil  shall  not  overtake  us.'  I  have  smitten 
you  with  blasting  and  mildew ;  I  have  caused  your  fig- 
trees  and  your  olive-trees  to  be  devoured  by  the  palmer- 
worm  :  yet  ye  have  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord. 
I  have  sent  among  you  the  pestilence ;  your  young  men 
have  I  slain  with  the  sword,  and  have  taken  away  your 
horses ;  yet  have  ye  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord. 
I  have  caused  destruction  among  you,  as  once  in  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  and  ye  were  as  a  firebrand  plucked  out  of 
the  flames,  yet  have  ye  not  returned  unto  me,  saith  the 
Lord :  therefore  will  I  do  thus  unto  thee." 

The  prophet  Jficah  likewise  describes  with  bold  open- 
ness, the  vices  both  of  the  high  and  the  low  of  the  house 
of  Judah  as  well  as  of  the  house  of  Israel.  "Woe  to 
them,"  he  exclaims,  "  that  devise  iniquity,  and  work  evil 
upon  their  beds  I  when  the  morning  is  light,  they  practise 
it  because  it  is  in  the  power  of  theii*  hand.  And  they 
covet  fields  and  take  them  by  violence  :    and   bouses,   and 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY  FOB   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  107 

talce  them  away;  therefore  punishment  is  not  afar  off." 
^'  Hear,  this,  ye  heads  of  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  princes 
of  the  house  of  Israel,  who  build  up  Zion  with  blood,  and 
Jerusalem  with  iniquity,  for  your  sake  shall  Zion  be 
ploughed  as  a  field,  and  Jerusalem  shall  become  a  heap  of 
ruins,  and  the  mountain  of  the  Temple  as  the  high  places 
of  the  forest."  The  prophet  then  reproved  his  people  for 
this,  that  they  clung  more  to  outward  worship  than  to  the 
observance  of  the  moral  law,  and  assured  them  that  they 
could  easily  regain  the  mercy  of  God,  if  they  would  but 
return  from  their  evil  ways.  ''  The  Lord,"  he  exclaims, 
"  hath  showed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good :  and  what  else 
doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  practise  justice,  to 
love  charity,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God?" 

The  prophet  Joel  pronounced  the  following  proclama- 
tion :  *'  Hear  this,  Israel !  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  at  hand, 
the  day  of  destruction,  whereof  ye  shall  tell  your  children 
and  your  children's  children.  That  which  the  palmer-worm 
hath  left  shall  be  eaten  by  the  locust — and  that  which  the 
locusts  will  leave,  shall  be  eaten  by  the  canker-worm ; 
and  that  which  the  canker-worm  will  leave,  shall  be  eaten 
by  the  eater-pillar.  Their  teeth  shall  be  as  the  teeth  of  a 
lion.  The  field  shall  be  wasted,  the  land  shall  mourn; 
the  husbandmen  shall  wail,  the  winedressers  shall  howl; 
the  beasts  of  the  field  shall  groan ;  the  rivers  shall  be 
dried  up,  and  the  fire  shall  devour  the  pastures  of  the  wild- 
erness. Therefore,  if  ye  turn  to  the  Lord,  with  all  your 
heart,  and  with  fasting  and  with  weeping,  and  with  mourn- 
mg,  ye  shall  know  that  God  is  in  the  midst  of  Israel. 

The  prophet  Isaiah  also  exposed  their  misdeeds,  and 
admonished  them  to  repent,  saying:  hear,  O  heavens, 
and  give  ear,  O  earth  :  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken,  I  have 
nourished  and  brought  up  children,  and  they  have  rebelled 
against  me.  The  ox  knoweth  his  owner,  and  the  ass  his 
master's  crib :  bat  Israel  doth  not  know,  my  people  doth 
not  consider.  Ah  sinful  nation,  a  people  laden  with  ini- 
quity, a  seed  of  evildoers,  children  that  are  corrupters : 
they  have  forsaken  the  Lord,  they  have  provoked  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel  unto  anger,  they  ai'e  gone  away  back- 


108         BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISBAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

ward.  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  rulers  of  Sodom ; 
give  ear  unto  the  law  of  our  God,  ye  people  of  Gomorrah. 
To  what  purpose  is  the  multitude  of  your  sacrifices  unto 
me  ?  saith  the  Lord :  I  am  full  of  the  burnt  offerings  of 
rams,  and  the  fat  of  fed  beasts ;  and  I  delight  not  in  the 
blood  of  bullocks,  or  of  lambs,  or  of  he-goats.  When  ye 
come  to  appear  before  me,  who  hath  required  this  at  your 
hand,  to  tread  my  courts  1  luring  no  more  vain  oblations ; 
incense  is  an  abomination  unto  me :  the  new  moons  and 
sabbaths,  the  calling  of  assemblies,  I  can  not  away  with ; 
it  is  iniquity,  even  the  solemn  meeting.  Your  new  moons 
and  your  appointed  feasts  my  soul  hateth:  they  are  a 
trouble  unto  me ;  I  am  weary  to  bear  them.  And  when 
ye  spread  forth  your  hands,  I  will  hide  mine  eyes  from 
you ;  yea,  when  ye  make  many  prayers,  I  will  not  hear : 
your  hands  are  full  of  blood.  Wash  you,  make  you  clean ; 
put  away  the  evil  ot  your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes, 
cease  to  do  evil ;  learn  to  do  well ;  seek  judgment,  relieve 
the  oppressed,  judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 
Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together  saith  the  Lord . 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as 
snow ;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as 
wool.  If  ye  be  willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good 
of  the  land ;  but  if  ye  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured 
with  the  sword :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 

The  prophet  Nahum  said :  "  God  is  jealous,  and  a  re- 
venger, the  Lord  is  slow  in  anger,  and  great  in  power, 
and  will  not  at  all  acquit  the  wicked ;  He  hath  His  way 
in  the  whirlwind,  and  in  the  storm,  and  the  clouds  are  the 
dust  of  His  feet  He  rebuketh  the  sea,  and  maketh  it 
dry,  and  drieth  up  all  the  rivers.  The  mountains  quake 
at  Him,  and  the  hills  melt,  the  earth  trembleth  before  His 
countenance,  and  its  inhabitants.  Who  can  stand  before 
His  indignation  t" 

The  prophet  HaJbdkkuk  said :  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I 
will  work  a  work  in  your  days,  which  ye  will  not  believe, 
though  it  be  told  you.  For,  lo,  I  raise  up  the  Chaldeans, 
that  bitter  and  hasty  nation^  and  they  shall  gather  captives 
as  the  sand." 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAKIJTISH  SCHOOLS.  109 

Zephaniah  said :  *'  Woe  to  the  rebellious  and  oppressing 
city  1  She  obeys  not  the  voice,  she  trusteth  not  in  the 
Lord — she  draws  not  nigh  to  her  God.  Therefore,  I  shall 
gather  nations,  that  I  may  assemble  the  kingdoms,  to  pour 
upon  them  mine  indignation,  even  all  my  fierce  anger. 
But  I  will  also  judge  all  that  afilict  thee,  and  I  will  save 
the  oppressed,  and  gather  them  that  were  driven  out,  and 
I  will  make  you  a  name  and  a  praise  among  all  the  nations 
of  the  earth." 

Such  and  many  other  similar  exhortations  were  ad- 
dressed by  the  prophets  to  the  Israelites.  But  all  in  vain ; 
they  would  not  heed  the  warning  voice  of  those  faithful 
servants  of  the  Lord.  At  last,  God's  mercy  and  long- 
suffering,  so  long  exercised  over  them,  were  exhausted, 
and  His  infallible  judgment  hastened  toward  its  fulfillment. 
He  chose  Shalnia7ieser,  king  of  Assyria,  to  accomplish  the 
work  of  judgment.  Shalmaneser  declared  war  to  Iloshea^ 
king  of  Israel,  because  he  had  entered  into  an  alliance  with 
So,  king  of  Egypt.  After  a  siege  of  three  years,  the  city 
of  Samaria  was  taken  and  burned  down,  and  the  king  and 
his  people  were  carried  as  captives  to  Assyria  and  Media, 
to  settle  in  uncultivated  regions  of  these  countries.  On 
the  other  hand,  Shalmaneser  sent  inhabitants  of  Babylon 
and  other  countries  of  his  empire,  to  Samaria  and  the 
neighboring  places,  and  with  them  a  Jewish  priest,  that  he 
might  instruct  these  heathens  in  the  worship  of  God. 
While  they  learned  to  fear  and  serve  God,  they,  at  the 
same  time  continued  to  practice  idolatry.  This  new 
population  of  Samaria  became  known  afterwards  as  the 
Sect  of  the  Samaritans. 


D.    The  Kings  of  Judah. 

§  64.      Rehoboam  —  Abijah  —  Asa  —  Jehoshaphat-^ 
Jehoram. 

[1  Kings  xiv.-xv.     2  Kings  viii.     2  Chro.  xx.-xxi.] 

As  the  greater  number  of  the  kings  of  Judah  were 
better  and  more  pious  than  those  of  Israel,  this  kingdom 
lasted  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  years  longer  than  fcliat 


110  BIBLICAL  HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITTSH   SCHOOLS. 

of  the  latter.  Many  of  the  kings  of  Judah  also  forsook 
their  God,  and  set  their  people  an  evil  example.  Hehoboani 
the  son  of  Solomon,  under  whose  reign  the  empire  waa 
divided,  did  much  evil  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  He  was 
already  forty-one  years  old  when  he  ascended  the  royal 
throne,  so  that  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the  earnestness 
and  discretion  of  manhood  should  guard  him  against  many 
a  rash  and  wicked  deed.  But  this  expectation  was  not  ful- 
filled. He  built  high  places,  and  erected  statues  for  idols 
upon  all  places,  and  under  every  green  tree ;  besides,  he 
Buffered  corrupted  young  men  to  practise  all  the  abomina- 
tions of  the  heathens.  In  punishment  for  all  these  iniqui- 
ties, God  sent  misery  upon  him.  The  Egyptian  King 
Shishak  marched,  against  Jerusalem,  and  took  away  l)oth 
the  treasures  of  the  Temple  and  the  royal  house.  Now 
the  prophet  Shemaiah  stepped  before  King  Rehoboam  and 
addressed  him,  saying;  **Thu8  saith  the  Lord,  'Yeliave 
forsaken  me,  and  therefore  have  I  also  left  you  in  the  hand 
otShishak.'"  The  princes  and  the  king  humbled  them- 
selves, and  exclaimed:  ** The  Lord  is  just!"  Whereupon 
God  said :  *'  Tliey  have  humbled  themselves,  therefore  I 
will  not  destroy  them.  Nevertheless,  they  shall  remain 
subject  to  Shishak,  that  they  may  learn  the  difference  be- 
tween my  service  and  the  service  of  the  kings  of  strange 
countries.'*  However  merciful  this  lesson,  taught  them  by 
God  himself,  was,  it  did  not  produce  the  desired  effect. 
Rehoboam  continued  the  war  with  Jeroboam,  king  of 
Israel,  and  died  after  a  reign  of  seventeen  yeai*8,  leaving 
Lis  son  Abijam  as  his  successor. 

Ahijam  followed  the  evil  example  of  his  father,  and 
made  war  against  the  kingdom  of  Israel,  but  died  after 
the  short  reign  of  but  three  yeai'S. 

His  son  and  successor  Asa  was  a  pious.  God-fearing 
prince ;  he  destroyed  all  the  temples  of  the  idols,  and  re- 
moved their  images  and  statues.  His  continual  wars 
with  Baasha,  King  of  Israel,  compelled  him  to  enter  into 
an  alliance  with  the  Syrian  king,  Benhadad,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  the  hostilities  between  the  two  kings  were 
ended.  He  died  after  a  reign  of  forty-one  years,  and  was 
succeeded  bv  his  son. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS.  Ill 

Jehoshaphat,  a  pious  man  and  excellent  prince.  He 
provided  the  strong  places  of  the  land  with  garrisons,  ap* 
pointed  able  officers,  and  endeavored  to  gain  the  respect 
of  the  neighboring  nations  for  his  own  country.  But  his 
special  care  was  devoted  to  the  diffusion  of  the  true  know- 
ledge of  God  He  destroyed  the  temples  and  groves  of 
the  idols,  and  appointed  Levites  and  priests  to  travel 
throughout  the  country  with  copies  of  the  law,  that  they 
might  teach  the  people.  "  Thus  shall  ye  do,"  he  said  to 
them,  *'in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  faithfully,  and  with  a  per- 
fect heart ;  what  cause  soever  shall  come  to  you  of  your 
brethren  that  dwell  in  their  cities,  between  blood  and 
blood,  in  their  doubts  concerning  laws  and  commandments, 
statutes  and  judgments,  ye  shall  warn  them  that  they  tres^ 
pass  not  against  the  Lord,  and  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  come 
not  upon  you  and  upon  your  brethren."  And  to  the  judges 
he  said:  "Take  heed  what  you  do;  for  ye  judge  not  for 
man,  but  for  the  Lord,  who  is  with  you  in  the  judgment. 
Wherefore  now  let  the  fear  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you,  and 
reflect  well,  that  there  is  no  iniquity  with  the  Lord  our 
God,  nor  respect  of  persons,  nor  taking  of  bribery." 

When  shortly  afterwards,  the  Moabites  and  Ammonites 
waged  war  against  Judah,  Jehoshaphat  assembled  the  peo- 
ple in  the  Temple  of  God,  and  offered  up  the  following 
prayer:  "O  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  art  not  thou  God 
in  heaven?  and  rulest  not  Thou  over  all  the  kingdoms  of 
the  heathen  ?  and  in  Thine  hand  is  there  not  power  and 
might,,  so  that  none  is  able  to  withstand  Thee "?  Art  not 
Thou  our  God,  who  didst  drive  out  the  inhabitants  of  this 
land  before  Thy  people  Israel,  and  gavest  it  to  the  seed  of 
Abraham  Thy  friend  forever?  And  now,  behold,  the 
children  of  Ammon  and  Moab  and  mount  Seir,  whom 
Thou  would st  not  let  Israel  invade,  when  they  came  out 
of  the  Land  of  Egypt,  but  they  turned  from  them,  and 
destroyed  them  not;  behold,  I  say,  how  they  reward  us, 
to  come  to  cast  us  out  of  Thy  possession,  which  Thou  hast 
given  us  to  inherit.  O  our  God,  wilt  Thou  not  judge  them  % 
for  we  have  no  might  against  this  great  company  that 
cometh  against  us ;  neither  know  we  what  to  do:  but  our 
eyes  are  upon  Thee."    When  he  had  concluded  this  prayer, 


112  BIBUCAL    HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SGHOOLa 

a  God-inspired  man  rose  m  the  assembly  and  said: 
"  Hearken  ye,  all  Judah,  and  ye  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem 
and  thou  king  Jehoshaphat;  Thus  saith  the  Lord  unto 
you,  *  Be  not  afraid  nor  dismayed  by  reason  of  this  great 
multitude ;  for  the  battle  is  not  yours,  but  God's.  To- 
mon-ow  go  ye  down  against  them ;  ye  shall  not  need  to 
fight!  Be  ye  firm,  stand  ye  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord  with  you.  The  Eternal  will  be  \^'ith  you!'" 
And  the  Lord  was  indeed  with  them.  The  enemies  were 
suddenly  seized  with  fury,  fought  against,  and  destroyed 
each  other,  so  that  tlie  Israelites  made  such  a  vast  spoil  of 
precious  jewels  and  vessels,  that  they  were  unable  to  carry 
them  all  away,  although  they  gathered  them  during  three 
days.  The  people  then  returned  with  psalteries  and  trum- 
pets to  Jerusalem,  and  offered  their  thanks  to  God  in  the 
Temple.  Alter  this  delivery,  the  land  enjoyed  peace  for 
twenty-five  years.     Jehoshaphat  reigned  twenty-five  years, 

J'eJioram^  who  succeeded  his  father,  was  unhke  him. 
His  wife,  Athaliah,  a  daughter  of  Ahab,  misled  him  to 
many  evil  deeds.  He  murdered  his  brothers  and  many 
princes  of  his  kingdom.  But  the  punishment  of  God  soon 
came  upon  him.  The  Edomites  revolted,  and  the  Philist- 
ines and  Arabians  invaded  his  country,  plundered  his 
palace,  and  carried  away  liis  wives  and  children.  He  waa 
soon  visited  by  a  loathsome  disease,  with  which  he  died. 


§  65.  The  Kings  op  Juoau.  (Continued.)  Ahaztah— 
Jehoasii — Amaziah — Uzziah---Jotham — Ahaz — Heze- 
KiAU.     [2  Kings,  xi.-xii.  xviii.-xx.] 

Jehoram  was  succeeded  by  Ahaziah^  who  reigned  only 
one  year,  when  he  was  slain,  together  with  Jehoram,  king 
of  Israel.  After  Ahaziah's  death,  Athaliah,  his  mother, 
usurped  the  royal  throne,  and  slew  all  the  children  of  the 
king,  with  the  exception  of  Jehoash,  whom  Jehosheba,  his 
father's  sister,  concealed  for  six  years  in  the  Temple,  and 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR  ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  113 

thus  saved  him  from  the  persecutions  of  Athaliah.  When 
Jehoash  was  seven  years  old,  JeJioida,  the  high  priest, 
stirred  up  a  rebellion  against  Athaliah,  which  resulted  in 
her  death,  and  brought  Jehoash  upon  the  royal  throne. 
As  long  as  Jehoiada  lived  and  assisted  the  young  king 
with  his  counsel,  both  the  people  and  their  ruler  faied 
well,  and  served  their  God.  The  temples  of  Baal  and  the 
idolatrous  altars  were  torn  down,  and  the  worship  of  G  3d 
re-instated  according  to  its  prescribed  order  and  arrange- 
ment. After  the  death  of  Jehoiadah,  Jehoash  forsook  God 
and  committed  great  crimes.  But  his  wickedness  was 
soon  punished ;  he  was  defeated  in  a  war  with  the  Syrians, 
and  had  to  purchase  a  dishonorable  peace  at  the  price  of 
all  his  treasures.  Soon  afterwards,  he  was  murdered  in 
his  bed  by  his  own  servants. 

Jehoash  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Amaziah,  who  caused 
the  murderers  of  his  father  to  be  punished,  and  fought 
victoriously  against  the  Edomites.  In  his  war  against 
Jehoash,  king  of  Israel,  he  was  defeated,  whereupon  Jeru- 
salem was  taken  and  plundered,  and  all  the  treasures  car- 
ried away  to  Samaria.  After  a  reign  of  twenty-nine 
years,  a  conspiracy  was  formed  against  him,  which  com- 
pelled him  to  flee  from  Jerusalem.  He  was  overtaken  at 
Lachish^  and  murdered. 

His  son  and  successor,  JJzziah,  was  a  pious  prince.  He 
restored  the  worship  of  the  true  God,  and  devoted  his  care 
and  attention  to  the  improvement  of  the  affairs  of  his 
country,  and  succeeded  in  defeating  the  Philistines,  the 
Arabians  and  other  neighboring  tribes.  But  his  power 
and  prosperity  led  him  astray — he  usurped  the  office  of 
priest,  for  which  impious  act  he  was  punished  with  leprosy, 
which  rendered  him  unable  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  his 
royal  dignity,  so  that  he  was  compelled  to  associate  his 
son  Jotliam  with  him  in  the  government.  He  died  after 
a  reign  of  fifty-two  years,  and  left  his  son 

Joiham  on  the  royal  throne.  This  king  proved  a  wise, 
pious.  God-fearing,  and,  therefore,  prosperous  prince.  Ho 
defeated  the  Ammonites,  and  forced  them  to  pay  him  a 


114  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

large  tribute.     He  reigned  sixteen  years,  and  was  succeeded 
by  bis  son. 

Ahaz,  who  vied  with  the  kings  of  Israel  in  atrocities 
and  idolatrous  excesses,  and  went  even  so  far  as  to  erect, 
in  the  valley  of  Illnnonx^  a  statue  to  the  Phenician  god, 
Moloch,  to  which  infants  were  offered  as  sacrifices.  Under 
his  reign,  the  country  was  invaded  by  Rezia,  King  ot 
Syria,  and  Pekah,  King  of  Israel.  He  called  Tlglathjnleser^ 
King  of  Assyria,  to  his  aid,  and  was  thus  made  tributaiy 
to  him.  Happily  for  his  country,  he  died  after  a  reign  of 
but  sixteen  years. 

Under  his  son  and  successor,  HezeJciah,  Judah  again 
enjoyed  better  times  of  peace  and  tranquillity.  Hezekiah 
was  found  just  in  the  eyes  of  God  ;  no  Jewish  king,  ever 
since  the  time  of  David,  was  so  filled  with  God-fearing 
piety  as  he.  **  He  removed  the  high-places,  and  brake  the 
statues  of  the  idols,  and  cut  down  the  groves,  and  brake  in 
pieces  the  brazen  ser|)ent  that  Moses  had  made,  for  unto 
those  days  the  children  of  Israel  did  burn  incense  to  it.*' 
Immediately  after  his  accession  to  the  royal  throne,  he 
re-opened  the  Temple  of  the  Lord,  had  it  cleansed,  and 
ordered  the  celebration  of  the  Passover  Feast,  to  which 
he  invited  the  whole  people,  and  which  was  solemnized 
with  Solomonian  magnificence  and  splendor. 

In  the  sixth  year  of  his  reign,  Shalmaneser,  king  of 
Assyria,  destroyed  the  kingdom  of  Israel,  whereupon 
Sennacherib,  his  son  and  successor,  conquered  all  the  forti- 
fied cities  of  Judah,  and  then  sent  his  general,  Mahshaheh^ 
to  attack  also  Jerusalem.  Hezekiah  sent  word  to  Sen- 
nacherib, saying :  **  March  away  from  my  land  and  I  will 
pay  all  the  tribute  that  thou  puttest  on  me."  Sennacherib 
made  great  demands,  so  that  Hezekiah  was  compelled  to 
deliver  up  to  him  all  the  treasure  of  the  Temple  and  his 
own  house  to  satisfy  him.  But  notwithstanding  all  this, 
Sennacherib  soon  sent  an  enormous  army  against  Jerusa- 
lem, and  demanded  the  complete  subjection  of  Hezekiah. 
Rabshakeh.  Sennacherib's  general,  sent  word  to  the  Jews^ 
saying,  *'  "i  as  saith  the  king.  Let  not  Hezekiah  deceive 
you :  for  be  shall  not  be  able  to  deliver  you  out  of  his 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR  ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS  115 

han^v  neither  let  Hezekiah  make  you  trust  in  the  Lord, 
saying,  The  Lord  will  surely  deliver  us,  and  this  city  shall 
not  be  delivered  into  the  hand  of  the  king  of  Assyria. 
Hearken  not  to  Hezekiah ;  for  thus  saith  the  king  of 
Assyria,  Make  an  agreement  with  me,  by  a  present,  and 
come  out  to  me,  and  then  eat  ye  every  man  of  his  own 
vine,  and  every  one  of  his  fig-tree,  and  drink  ye  every  one 
his  waters  of  his  cistern :  until  I  come  and  take  you  away 
to  a  land  like  your  own  land,  a  land  of  corn  and  wine,  a 
land  of  bread  and  vineyards,  a  land  of  oil-olive  and  ot 
honey,  that  ye  may  live  and  not  die."  The  people  made 
no  answer  to  this  speech,  but  kept  silence ;  for  thus  their 
king  had  commanded  them.  Thereupon  Hezekiah  himself 
received  a  letter  from  Sennacherib,  in  which  the  following 
language  was  used :  "  Let  not  thy  God  in  whom  thou 
trustest  deceive  thee,  saying,  Jerusalem  shall  not  be  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  the  king  of  Assyria  *'  Behold, 
thou  hast  heard  what  the  kings  of  Assyria  have  done  to 
all  lands  by  destroying  them  utterly :  and  shalt  thou  be 
delivered  ?  Have  the  gods  of  the  nations  delivered  them 
which  my  fiithers  have  destroyed?"  Such  was  the 
threatening  contents  of  the  letter ;  the  fear  and  alarm 
which  it  caused  were  great ;  no  means  seemed  available 
to  ward  off  the  danger.  But  what  should  be  done,  when- 
ever human  help  is  no  longer  strong  enough  to  save  us? 
Hezekiah  went  into  the  Temple  of  his  God,  clothed  in  gar^ 
ments  of  penance  and  mourning,  and  prayed  as  follows; 
"  O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  Thou  art  the  God,  even  Thoa 
alone,  of  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth;  Thou  hast  made 
heaven  and  earth  Lord,  bow  down  Thine  ear,  and  hear: 
open,  Lord,  Thine  eyes,  and  see :  and  hear  the  words  of 
Sennacherib,  which  hath  sent  him  to  reproach  the  living 
God.  Of  a  truth,  Lord,  the  kings  of  Assyria  have  destroyed 
Ithe  nations  and  their  lands,  and  have  cast  their  gods  into 
*the  fire;  for  they  were  no  gods,  but  the  work  of  men's 
hands,  wood  and  stone :  therefore  they  have  destroyed 
them.  Now,  therefore,  O  Lord  our  God,  I  beseech  Thee, 
save  Thou  us  out  of  his  hand,  that  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
earth  may  know  that  Thou  art  the  Lor '  God,  even  Thou 
only."  The  king  requested  also  the  [,1  ophet  Isaiah^  to 
intercede    with    his  prayer,   and   received  the  following 


116  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOB   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOI^. 

consoling  reply :  "  Be  not  afraid  or  dismayed !  The  king  of 
Assyria  shall  do  no  harm  unto  thee ;  by  the  way  that  he 
came,  by  the  same  shall  he  return,  and  shall  not  come  into 
this  city,  saith  the  Eternal."  Even  during  the  same  night 
a  pestilence  broke  out  in  the  camp  of  the  Assyrians,  so 
that,  in  the  morning,  the  earth  was  covered  with  multitudes 
of  dead  bodies.  And  Sennacherib,  who  knelt  in  prayer 
before  his  idol  god  in  the  Temple  of  Nineveh,  was  slain 
by  his  own  two  sons.     Thus  God  humbles  the  haughty. 

Soon  after  the  destruction  of  the  Assyrian  army,  Heze- 
kiah  fell  sick,  when  Isaiah  came  to  him  and  said :  "  Set 
thine  house  in  order;  for  thou  shalt  diel"  No  sooner  had 
the  king  heard  this  announcement,  than  he  wept  and 
prayed  to  God  that  he  might  prolong  his  life.  His  tears 
and  prayer  were  accepted  by  God.  Before  Isaiah  had  left; 
the  city,  God  ordered  him  to  announce  to  the  king,  that 
fifteen  years  should  be  added  to  the  days  of  his  life. 
Isaiah  put  a  lump  of  figs  upon  the  boil  with  which  Heze- 
kiah  suffered,  and  thus  cured  him  in  the  course  of  three 
days. 

The  victory  over  the  Assyrian  army  produced  this  effect, 
that  the  small  kingdom  of  Judah  gained  fame  and  respect 
among  the  neighboring  nations.  The  king  of  Babylon 
sent  ambassadors  to  Hezekiah,  to  congratulate  him  upon 
his  recovery.  On  this  occasion,  the  latter  forgot  himself, 
and  showed,  misled  by  self-pleasing  pride,  his  vast  treasures 
to  the  ambassadors.  This  self-exaltation  was  followed  by 
the  announcement  of  divine  punishment :  that  all  tliese 
treasures,  together  with  the  king's  children,  should  be 
carried  to  Babylon.  Hezekiah  bowed  with  humility  to 
the  will  of  God,  and  received  the  consoling  assurance, 
that  this  calamity  should  not  occur  during  his  lifetime. 
He  died  lamented  by  his  people,  after  a  reign  of  twenty- 
nine  years. 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  117 

66.  The  Kings  of  Jtjdaii.  (Continued.)  Manasseh — 
Amon  —  JosiAH  —  Jehoahaz — Jehoiakim — Jehoiachin 
— Zedekiah.  [2  Kings  xxi.-xxv.  2  Cbr.  xxxiii.-xxxvi:] 
3377  A.M. 

The  Destruction  of  the  Kingdom  of  Judah. 

Hezekiah  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Manasseh^  the  most 
w^icked  of  all  the  kings  of  Judah.  He  built  idolatrous 
ftltars  even  in  the  Temple  of  Jerusalem,  kept  fortune- 
tellers and  soothsayers,  and  sacrificed  his  own  son  to 
Moloch.  Idolatry  having  become  worse  in  Judah  than 
among  the  heathens,  God  sent  prophets  to  the  king,  say- 
ing: ''Behold,  I  am  bringing  such  evil  upon  Jerusalem 
and  Judah  that  whosoever  heareth  of  it,  both  his  ears 
shall  tingle.  I  will  deliver  them  into  the  hand  of  their 
enemies,  and  bring  heavy  distress  upon  them."  But  the 
people  would  not  heed  the  words  of  the  prophets,  and 
God  caused  the  Assyrian  king,  Esarhaddon^  to  invade  the  ^ 
country,  and  carry  Manasseh  in  fetters  to  Babylon.  Now 
the  latter  repented;  wherefore  the  All- merciful  delivered 
him  from  his  captivity,  and  permitted  him  to  return  to 
Jerusalem,  and  resume  the  royal  power.  From  this  time 
to  his  death,  Manasseh  was  pious  and  God-fearing.  He 
removed  the  idols  from  the  Temple,  and  cast  them  out  of 
the  city,  and  urgently  admonished  his  people  to  worship 
the  living  God.  He  died  after  a  reign  of  fifty-five  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

Amon^  who  reigned  but  two  years.  He  led  a  wicked  life, 
and  was  assassinated  in  his  own  house.  The  people  avenged 
his  murder  by  slaying  the  rebels,  and  proclaimed  his  son 

tTosiah,  a  child  of  only  eight  years,  king  of  Judah. 
Obeying  the  good  counsel  of  his  guardian,  the  priest  Ilil' 
kiah,  Josiah  reformed  the  worship  of  the  Temple.  On 
this  occasion,  the  Book  of  the  Law,  which  had  been  given 
by  Moses,  but  was*  forgotten  during  the  existence  of  the 
idolatrous  worship,  was  found  and  sent  to  the  king.  With 
astonishment  and  horror  he  discovered  how  often  he  had 
violated  the  will  of  God,  and  what  a  sad  future  awaited 
him,  if  he  would  not  walk  in  His  ways.  Filled  with  fear 
and  grief,  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  consulted  the  prophetess 


118  BIBUCAL   HlSTOliY    FOK    ISUAJiLITliiH    BCHOOLS. 

Huldah^  concerning  his  fate.  Huldah  sent  him  word,  say- 
ing: "Thus  saith  the  Lord,  *  Because  thy  heart  hath  been 
Boftened  by  the  words  of  the  Law,  and  thou  didst  humble 
tliyself  before  God,  thou  shalt  be  gathered  to  thy  fathers 
in  peace,  and  thine  eyes  shall  not  see  the  evil  which  I  will 
bring  upon  this  land.' "  Josiah  now  made  all  possible 
exertions  to  restore  the  worship  of  the  true  God.  He 
made  the  whole  people  promise,  that  they  would  hence- 
forth follow  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  then  celebrated,  in 
Jerusnlem,  the  feast  of  Passover,  which  had  not  been 
solemnized  with  such  splendor  since  the  days  of  the 
Judges.  After  a  reign  of  thirty-one  years,  he  died  from 
a  wound  wliich  he  had  received  in  a  war  against  the 
Egyptian  king  Necho. 

He  was  successively  followed  by  his  sons  J'ehoahaz^ 
tTehoiakiniy  and  then  by  tTehoiachui^  the  son  of  the  latter, 
all  of  whom  re-introduced  idolatry,  in  consequence  of 
which,  vice  rapidly  increased  in  Judah  and  accelerated  the 
destruction  of  the  nation.  God  deliv<M-ed  the  people  into 
the  liand  of  Nebuchadnezzar^  king  of  Babylon,  who  carried 
Jehoiachin,  together  with  ten  thousand  Jews,  the  treasures 
of  the  Temple,  and  its  golden  and  silver  vessels,  to  Ba- 
bylon. In  the  place  of  the  deposed  king,  Nebuchadnezzar 
appointed  Zedekiah^  a  son  of  Josiah,  to  till  the  royal  throne. 
The  latter  soon  rebelled,  whereupon  Nebuchadnezzar 
marched  against  him,  and  laid  siege  to  the  city*  with  his 
whole  army. 

This  sii'ge  lasted  two  yeai*8.  Famine  and  misery  made 
horrible  havoc  in  the  city ;  its  inhabitants  fell  in  the  streets 
dying  with  destitution  and  hunger ;  mothers  ate  their  own 
children.  At  last,  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  fourth  month, 
the  enemy  made  an  attack  upon  the  city  and  took  it.  Zede- 
kiah  took  to  flight,  but  was  taken  prisoner  at  Jericho,  by 
the  generals  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  who  carried  him,  together 
with  his  whole  family,  before  the  king.  The  latter  caused 
his  children  to  be  slain  before  his  face,  his  eyes  to  be  put 
out,  and  then  sent  him  in  fetters  to  Babylon,  where  he 
died  in  a  prison.   The  magnificent  Temple,  the  royal  palace. 


*  This  waa  done  on  the  tenth  day  of  the  month  of  Td)€t, 


BIBLICAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISII   SCHOOLS.  119 

nay,  the  whole  city  was  burned  down,  and  the  walls  razed 
to  its  very  foundation.* 

But  a  limited  number  of  the  country  people  were  per- 
mitted to  remain  in  Canaan,  and  had  Gedaliah,  the  son  of 
Ahikan,  appointed  over  them  as  governor.  Gedaliah 
ruled  with  great  mildness,  and  said  to  his  people:  '*Fear 
not  to  be  the  servants  of  the  Chaldees ;  dwell  in  the  land, 
and  faithfully  serve  the  king  of  Babylon ;  and  it  shall  be 
well  with  you."  Many  of  those  who  had  fled,  began  to 
flock  to  Jerusalem,  when  Ishmael,  of  the  royal  family, 
assisted  by  ten  other  men,  assassinated  the  governor. 
Then  the  remnant  of  the  people,  dreading  the  resentment 
of  the  Babylonians,  fled  to  Egypt.f 


§  G7.     The  Prophets  Jeremiah  and  Ezekiel. 

At  the  time  of  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  lived  the 
prophets  JTeremiah  and  EzeJdel. 

Jeremiah  was  the  son  of  a  priest  who  lived  at  Anathoth. 
God  called  him  to  the  prophetic  work  in  the  thirteenth 
year  of  the  reign  of  Josiah.  Like  Moses  in  ancient  time, 
Jeremiah  unwillingly  followed  the  divine  call,  deeming 
himself  too  young  and  incapable  to  fulfill  such  an  import- 
ant mission.  But  God  removed  his  scruples  by  the  assur- 
ance, that  He  would  be  with  him,  and  communicate  to 
him  that  which  he  should  proclaim.  Encouraged  by  this 
assurance,  he  stepped  before  a  most  obstinate  and  corrupt 
people,  with  the  bold  courage,  with  the  greatest  intrepid- 
ity of  a  glorious  hero,  to  struggle  for  God  and  His  holy 
law.  He  inveighed,  without  reserve,  against  the  vices  of 
the  high  and  the  humble,  and  admonished  them  to  mend 
their  ways.  "  Thou  shall  perish,"  he  said  to  the  apostate 
king  Jehoiakim,  *'and  none  shall  lament  for  thee."  He 
prophesied  also  the  destruction  of  the  people,  if  they 
would  not  return  to  God.  They  got  angry  against  him 
for  such  speeches,  and  hated  him.  Once  Jeremiah  preached 
again  in  the  court  of  the  Temple  against  the  general  cor- 
ruption of  the  city,  and  prophesied  woe  and  misery,  and 

■  — ■ — ■ — -  -  I  ** 

«  On  the  seventh  day  of  Ab. 

f  This  event  took  place  in  the  month  of  TintifL 


120  BIBLICAL    HISTORY    FOR    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOI^. 

the  comj)lete  destruction  of  the  city  and  Temple,  unless 
they  would  speedily  repent.  Then  the  whole  assembly, 
the  priests  and  false  prophets,  exclaimed :  *'  This  man  must 
die  I" — seized  the  prophet  of  the  Lord,  and  carried  him 
before  the  court  of  the  princes.  Jeremiah  addressed  them, 
saying:  ** Behold,  I  am  in  your  hand:  do  with  me  as  it 
geemeth  good  and  right  in  your  eyes.  Only  forget  not, 
that  if  ye  put  me  to  death,  ye  shall  surely  bring  innocent 
blood  upon  yourselves.  The  Lord  hath  sent  me  unto  you 
to  speak  all  these  words  in  your  ears.  Tlierefore,  now 
mend  your  ways  and  your  doings,  and  God  will  avert  the 
evil  that  he  hath  pronounced  against  you."  Then  the  princes 
and  many  of  the  people  exclaimed:  "This  man  deserveth 
not  that  he  should  die."  But  Urijah^  another  prophet, 
who  prophesied  like  Jeremiah,  was  indeed  put  to  death, 
upon  the  order  of  king  Jehoiakim,  and  his  body  thrown 
into  the  graves  of  the  common  people. 

JeremLah  went  to  his  native  place  but  even  there  he 
was  persecuted  on  account  of  his  open  speeches.  He  waa 
compelled  to  leave  his  paternal  home  and  inheritance,  and 
seek  his  safety  in  flight  When  he  had  again  arrived  at 
Jerusalem,  he  preached  in  the  streets  and  market-places, 
and  exhorted  the  people  to  repentance.  Then  a  priest 
smote  him  in  the  face;  the  people  laughed  at  him;  he 
was  thrown  into  a  dungeon,  where  he  began  to  reflect 
whether,  the  people  being  so  stifl-necked,  it  were  not  bet- 
ter to  be  silent  than  to  speak.  "  But,"  exclaims  the  in- 
spired prophet,  **  a  burning  desire  was  shut  up  in  my  bones, 
and  I  was  weary  with  forbearing,  and  I  could  not  keep 
silent."     Thus  he  continued  to  fulfill  his  important  mission. 

He  wrote  also  a  letter  to  the  Israelites  in  Babylon,  who 
had  been  canned  tliither  after  the  first  capture  of  Jerusa- 
lem, containing  the  following  admonition:  "Thus  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God  of  Israel,  unto  all  that  are  car- 
ried away  captives,  whom  I  have  caused  to  be  carried 
away  from  Jerusalem  unto  Babylon :  build  ye  houses,  and 
dwell  in  them  ;  and  plant  gardens,  and  eat  the  fruit  of 
them  ;  and  seek  the  peace  of  the  city  whithei  I  have  caused 
you  to  be  carried  away  captives,  and  pray  unto  the  Lord 
for  it :  for  in  the  peace  thereof  shall  ye  have  peace.  For 
thus  saith  the  Lurd  of  hosts,  the  God  of  Israel ;  Let  not 


121 

your  prophets  and   your  diviners,  that  be  in  the  midst  of 

you,  deceive  you,  neither  hearken  to  your  dreams  which 
ye  cause  to  be  dreamed.  For  they  proj)hesy  falsely  unto 
you  in  my  name:  I  have  not  sent  them,  saith  the  Lord. 
For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  That  after  seventy  years  be  ac- 
complished at  Babylon,  I  will  visit'  you,  and  perform  my 
good  word  toward  you,  in  causing  you  to  return  to  this 
place.  For  I  know  the  thoughts  that  I  think  toward  you, 
eaith  the  Lord,  thoughts  of  peace,  and  not  of  evil,  to  give 
you  an  expected  end :  and  I  will  turn  away  your  captivity, 
and  I  will  gather  you  from  all  the  nations,  and  from  all 
the  places  whither  I  have  driven  you,  saith  the  Lord ;  and 
I  will  bring  you  again  into  the  place  whence  I  caused  you 
to  be  carried  away  captive."  And  when  king  Zedekiah 
went  to  Babylon  to»  do  homage  to  the  Babylonian  ruler, 
Jeremiah  handed  Seraiah^  one  of  the  princes  who  accom- 
panied Zedekiah,  a  book  containing  exhortations  and  pro- 
phecies for  the  Babylonian  Jews.  Seraiah  secretly  read 
it  to  them,  then  bound  it  to  a  stone,  and  cast  it  into  the 
river  Euphrates ;  he  did  so,  no  doubt,  that  it  should  not 
excite  any  suspicion  among  the  Babylonians. 

But  Jeremiah  himself  remained  in  Caanan,  although  he 
knew  that  the  land  would  soon  be  visited  by  heavy  calam- 
ities. He  would  not  desert  his  people  under  any  circum- 
stances, but  was  resolved  to  stand  by  them  to  the  last 
hour,  and  use  all  means  to  induce  them  to  repentance. 
The  less  his  admonitions  w^ere  heeded,  the  more  power- 
fully would  he  inveigh  against  the  sins  of  his  people. 
Once  he  entered  the  court  of  the  roynl  palace  with  a  wooden 
yoke  on  his  neck,  when  another  prophet  ap]n-oached  him 
and  broke  the  yoke.  But  Jeremiah  said:  "The  yoke  of 
the  people  shall  be  turned  into  an  iron  yoke."  But  when 
ho  was  about  to  leave  Jei'usalem,  through  the  gate  of  Ben- 
jamin, a  captain  of  the  guard,  supposing  that  he  intended 
to  join  the  enemy,  took  him  and  put  him  in  prison  in  the 
castle  of  Zion.  Here  he  bought  from  one  of  his  relatives 
a  piece  of  land  situated  at  Anathoth—just  at  the  time  when 
the  Chaldees  besieged  the  city,  and  tliere  was  no  prospect 
of  their  defeat  by  the  Judeans.  By  this  act  he  meant  to 
indicate  to  his  brethren,  that,  however  great  their  distress 
was,  and  how  certain  their  destruction,  they  should  again 

11 


122  BIBLICAL    HISTORY    FOR    ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

possess  the  land  of  their  fathers.  King  Zedekiah  alleviated 
the  burthen  of  his  imprisonment;  but  when  he  continued 
to  advise  subjection  to  the  Chaldees,  the  captains  of  the 
Israelites  grew  indignant,  and  cast  him  into  a  pit  filled 
with  mire,  in  which  he  would  certainly  have  perished,  had 
not  the  king,  upon  liearing  thereof,  ordered  his  servant  to 
take  him  up.  But  he  was  again  put  into  prison,  where  he 
remained  until  Jerusalem  was  taken. 

It  might  be  supposed  that  the  final  capture  of  the  city 
filled  the  prophet  with  delight,  because  he  was  now  de- 
livered from  all  persecution ;  but  such  a  feeling  did  not 
enter  his  bosom.  He  wept  tears  of  bitter  grief  over  the 
great  calamity  of  his  people,  and  poured  forth  the  deep 
anguish  of  his  soul  in  affecting  elegies,  which  constitute  a 
portion  of  the  Bible,  known  as  the,  "  Lainentations  of 
J'eremiahJ'^ 

King  Nebuchadnezzar  sent  word  to  Jeremiah,  saying: 
'*  Behold,  I  loose  thee  this  day  from  the  chains  which  were 
upon  thine  hand.  If  it  seem  good  unto  thee  to  come  with 
me  into  Babylon,  come ;  and  I  will  look  well  unto  thee; 
but  if  it  seem  ill  unto  thee  to  come  with  me  into  Babylon, 
forbear;  behold,  all  the  land  is  before  thee;  whither  it 
seemeth  good  and  convenient  for  thee  to  go,  thither  go  ;** 
But  Jeremiah  preferred  to  remain  with  his  unhai)py  breth- 
ren, to  and  alleviate  their  misery.  He  supp.orted  Gedaliah, 
the  governor  of  Judah,  and  when,  after  the  murder  of  the 
latter,  the  Israelites  went  to  Egy|)t,  they  forced  him  to 
accompany  them.  But  even  here  he  found  no  rest ;  for 
the  Jews  again  committed  idolatry,  and  however  urgently 
lie  exhorted  and  rebuked  them,  he  could  not  succeed.  Nay, 
they  distinctly  declared  to  him,  that  they  would  not  ol  i-y 
the  word  of  God.  And  thus  they  hastened  toward  their 
perdition.  Of  Jeremiah's  further  history  nothing  is  known. 
Contemporaneously  with  Jeremiah  lived  the  prophets 
Zepha7iiah  and  Ezekiel.  Ezekiel  was  carried  to  Babylon, 
by  Nebuchadnezzar,  with  other  Jewish  captives  under 
king  Jehoiachin.  While  living  near  the  Babylonian  river 
Chebar^  God  appointed  him  a  prophet  unto  his  brethren. 
His  mission  was,  like  that  of  Jeremiah,  to  admonish  the 
Judeans  to  repentance,  and  to  proclaim  the  approaching 
debtructiou  of  the  kingdom.     Buc  Le,  too,  was  oppobud  by 


BiliLiCAL    llibiOllY    FOR   IbKAlCLITlSH    SCHOOLS.  123 

false  prophets,  who  induced  the  people  not  to  give  enr  to 
the  exhortations  of  Ezekiol.  But  the  Israelites  learned  too 
soon  the  truth  of  his  predictions.  They  heard  of  the  de- 
struction of  the  empire,  began  to  respect  the  words  of  the 
prophets  of  God,  and  to  place  implicit  confidence  in  their 
announcements  of  the  speedy  return  to  their  native  country. 


E.    The  History  of  the  Israelites  during,  and 
after  the  Babylonian  Captivity. 

§  68.    Daniel — Hananiah — Mishael — and  Azariah.— - 

The  Jews  whom  Nebuchadnezzar  had  carried  to  Baby- 
lon, were  not  kept  like  prisoners,  but  were  free,  and  could 
even  acquire  fields ;  only  their  return  to  their  country  was 
interdicted.     But  what  they  were  mostly  grieved  at,  was 
this,  that  they  could  no  longer  worship  their  God  as  they 
had  done  at  Jerusalem ;  for  in  Babylon  they  had  no  temple, 
no  priests,  no  teachers.     Their  calamities,  however,  con- 
duced to  their  improvement :  they  began  to  reflect,   and 
now,  amid  heathen   nations,  they  showed  not  the  least  in- 
clination  to   idolatry.     Many  were  even  ready  to  suffer 
fieath  rather  than  violate   the  holy  law  of  God.     Among 
these  were   Daniel,  Hananiah,   Jfishael,  and  Azariah. 
The  king  had  ordered  that  these  youths,  who  were  of  royal 
descent,  should  be  instructed  in  arts  and  sciences,  and  re- 
ceive their  provisions  from  his  own  table.     But  they  re- 
fused to  partake  of  the  costly  viands,  (because  they  deemed 
it  unlawful   to    eat  of  the  viands  of  idolaters,)  and  asked 
only  for   pulse   and    water.     Nevertheless,  they  appeared 
healthier  and  more  cheerful  than  others  who  had  partaken 
of  the  royal  viands ;  for  their  moderation  in  food  and  drink, 
together  with   the  joyful   emotions  of  a  good  conscience, 
preserved  their  health.     But  also  in  knowledge  and  wisdom 
they  surpassed  other   youths,  so  that  the  king  soon  took 
them  into  his  own  service,  and  raised  them  to  the  highest 
dignities. 

But  the  time  of  trial  also  came  for  them.  King  Nebu- 
chadnezzar had  a  large  golden  image,  an  idol  of  Baal 
erected,  and  decreed  that  aU  persons  should  worship  it, 


124  BIBLICAL   UISTOKY    FOK   ISliAEHTlSU    acjllOOLS 

and  that  every  one  who  would  not  obey  his  order,  shoild 
be  thrown  into  a  burning  fiery  furnace.  All  fell  down  and 
adored  the  idol ;  but  the  three  last  named  youths  refused 
to  do  so ;  wherefore  the  king  commanded  that  they  should 
Buffer  the  penalty  pronounced  for  such  disobedience.  But 
God  delivered  them  in  a  wonderful  way,  and  Nebuchad- 
nezzar exclaimed,  saying:  "Blessed  be  the  God  of  Han- 
aniah,  Mishael,  and  Azariah,  who  hath  delivered  His  serv- 
ants that  trusted  in  Him,  and  yielded  their  bodies,  that 
they  might  not  serve  nor  worship  any  god,  except  their 
own  God  I  Therefore,  this  is  my  decree :  Whoever  speaketh 
any  thing  amiss  against  this  God,  shall  be  cut  in  pieces, 
and  his  house  shall  be  laid  waste,  because  there  is  no  other 
God  that  can  deliver  like  unto  this  God." 

Daniel  also  gave  proofs  of  his  impregnable  attachment 
to  God.  He  was  honored  and  loved,  not  only  by  Nebu- 
chadnezzar, but  also  by  Darius,  oue  of  his  successors:  a 
circumstance  which  caused  the  envy  of  many  who  en- 
deavored to  bring  him  into  disgrace  at  the  royal  court. 
Unable  to  discover  any  thing  wrong  in  his  conduct — for 
his  loyalty  was  unexceptionable — they  procured  from  the 
king  an  edict,  that  no  one  should  offer  up  prayers  to  God 
for  the  space  of  thirty  days  ;  and  that  every  violater  of  this 
decree  should  be  thrown  into  a  den  of  hungry  lions.  Daniel 
did  not  heed  this  decree,  but  continued  to  pray  to  his  God^ 
and  thus  the  king  was  compelled,  as  he  could  not  evade 
his  own  decree,  to  have  his  favorite  thrown  into  the  lion's 
den.  But  All-merciful  God  so  ordained  it,  that  the  lions 
would  not  do  him  the  least  injury.  The  king,  deeply 
gi'ieved  on  account  of  Daniel,  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep, 
and  hastened  very  early  in  the  morning  to  the  lion's  den, 
to  see  what  had  become  of  him.  When  he  found  him  alive, 
he  commanded  that  he  should  be  taken  from  the  den,  and 
those  thrown  into  it,  who  had  accused  his  faithful  favorite. 
Before  they  had  reached  the  bottom  of  the  den,  the  lions 
devoured  them  all.  The  king  was  greatly  astonished,  and 
decreed,  that  all  the  inhabitants  of  his  land  should  adore 
the  God  of  Daniel,  because  he  was  the  only  true  God. 
Thenceforth  Daniel  remained  the  favorite  of  the  king,  and 
lived  even  to  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Koresh^  (Cyrus.) 
He  gained  the  favor  of  several  kings  of  Babylon,  especially 


BIBLICAL    HISTORY    FOR    ISRAELITISII    SCHOOLS.  125 

by  his  skillful  interpretations  of  mysterious  dreams.  He 
had  himself  spiritual  visions,  which  are  related  in  that  book 
of  Holy  Writ,  which  bears  his  own  name.  However,  he 
is  not  recognized  as  a  prophet. 


§  69.     The  Return  of  the  Jews  from  the  Babylonian 
Captivity.     [Ezra  i-vi.]     3446  A.M. 

Seventy  years  had  the  Jews  passed  in  captivity,  when 
the  Persian  king  Cyrus,  who  had  conquered  Babylon, 
granted  them  permission  to  return  to  their  own  country, 
and  rebuild  their  national  tem[)le.  Many  of  the  captives, 
however,  did  not  avail  themselves  of  this  permission,  but 
remained  in  Babylon,  where  they  had  acquired  lands,  and 
adopted  the  customs  of  the  country.  About  fifty  thousand 
of  the  people,  among  them  two  hundred  singers,  returned 
to  Jerusalem,  led  by  Ztrabbabel,  a  descendant  of  the  kings 
of  Judah,  and  the  priest  Jeshua,  who  became  afterwards 
high-priest.  Those  that  remained  presented  their  return- 
ing brethren  with  rich  gifts,  and  king  Cyruis  himself  de- 
livered to  them  five  thousand  four  hundred  sacred  vessels 
which  had  been  taken  from  the  temple.  Inspiring  them- 
selves by  songs  of  joy,  they  accomplished  thuir  j(.>urney, 
and,  after  having  taken  possession  of  cities  and  villages, 
they  assembled  again  on  the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month, 
at  Jerusalem,  erected  an  altar  upon  the  ruins  of  the  Temple 
and  offered  up  sacrifices.  When,  the  year  following,  the 
foundation  was  laid  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  Temple,  tlie 
priests  were  present,  attired  with  their  ofliicial  garments, 
and  with  trumpets  in  their  hands,  and  the  Levites  with 
cymbals,  to  praise  God,  together  with  the  people:  "And 
they  sang  together  in  choirs,  praising  and  giving  thanks 
unto  the  Lord ;  because  he  is  good,  for  His  mercy  en- 
dureth  forever  toward  Israel.  And  all  the  people  shouted 
with  a  great  shout,  when  they  praised  the  Lord,  because 
the  foundation  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  was  laid.  But 
many  of  the  priests  and  Lovites,  and  chief  of  the  fathers, 
who  were  ancient  men,  that  had  seen  the  first  house,  when 
•the  foundation  of  this  house  was  laid  before  their  eyes, 
wept  with  a  loud  voice;  and  many  shouted  aloud  for  joy: 


126  BIBLICAL   niSTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

80  that  the  people  could  not  discern  the  noise  of  the  shout 
of  joy  from  the  noise  of  the  weeping  of  the  people:  for  the 
people  shouted  with  a  loud  shout,  and  the  noise  was  heard 
afar  off." 

Now,  when  the  Samaritans,  the  cnemios  of  Judah  and 
Benjamin,  heard  that  the  Jews  builded  a  temple  unto  the 
Eteinal,  they  came  to  Zerubbabel,  and  to  the  chief  of  the 
fathers,  and  said  unto  them:  ''Let  us  build  with  you; 
for  we  seek  your  God,  as  ye  do."  But  Zerubbabel,  and 
Jeshua,  and  the  chief  of  the  rest  of  the  fathers,  replied : 
"  Ye  have  nothing  to^  do  with  us  to  build  a  house  unto  our 
God ;  we  will  alone  build  it,  as  king  Cyrus  had  commanded 
us."  On  account  of  this  refusal,  the  Samaritans  endeavored 
to  prevent  and  disturb  the  re-erection  of  the  Temple.  They 
brought  calumnies  against  the  Jews  before  tlie  king,  and 
succeeded  so  far,  by  bribing  the  royal  officers  in  Persia, 
that  the  work  of  building  wiis  interrupted  till  the  death  of 
Cyrus,  and  distinctly  prohibited  by  his  successor  Artach- 
ahashta. 


§  70.     Hagoai  akd  Zechartah.     [Book  of  Haggai  i.  and 
ii.     Zechariah  iv.  viii.  ir.     Ezra  v.  vi.] 

Thus  the  holy  work  remained  interrupted  for  fifteen 
years.  The  people  had  lost  the  necessary  courage  and 
zeal  for  its  continuation;  yet  they  inhabited  beautiful 
houses;  their  continual  attention  to  worldly  affairs  grad- 
ually caused  their  zeal  for  the  service  of  God  to  abate,  so 
that  tlie  work  perhaps  would  never  have  been  resumed,  if 
God  had  not  admonished  them  through  famine,  want  of 
the  means  of  subsistence,  and  other  chastisements,  but 
above  all,  through  the  prophets  Haggai  and  Zechariah. 

It  was  in  the  second  year  of  the  reign  of  king  Darius, 
when  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Zerubbabel,  governor 
of  Judah,  through  the  medium  of  Haggai,  the  prophet, 
saying:  *'This  people  say,  The  time  is  not  come,  the  time 
that  the  Lord's  house  should  be  built.  Is  it  time  for  you, 
O  ye,  to  dwell  in  your  cieled  houses,  and  this  house  lie 
waste?  Now,  therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts :  Con- 
Bider  yoiu:  ways.     Ye  have  sown  much,  and  bring  in  little ; 


BIBLICAL  HISTOKY    FOR  ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS.  127 

ye  eat,  but  ye  have  not  enough ;  ye  drink,  but  ye  are  not 
filled  with  drink :  ye  clothe  you,  but  there  is  none  warm ; 
and  he  that  earneth  wages  earneth  wages  to  put  it  into  a 
bag  with  holes.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts :  Consider 
your  ways.  Go  up  to  the  mountain  and  bring  wood,  and 
build  the  house ;  and  I  will  take  pleasure  in  it,  and  I  will 
be  glorified,  saith  the  Lord." 

Now  Zerubbabel,  and  Jeshua,  the  high  priest,  and  all 
the  people  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  Eternal,  their  God. 
All  came  and  laid  hand  to  the  work  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  their  God. 

The  prophet  ZecJiariah  also,  upon  the  command  of  God, 
encouraged  Zerubbabel  and  the  people,  to  continue  the 
holy  work. 

At  the  same  time,  Tatnai,  the  Persian  governor,  came 
to  Jerusalem  with  his  companions,  and  asked  the  Jews, 
seeing  them  build  their  temple:  "  Who  has  permitted  you 
to  build  this  house?"  They  answered-  "King  Cyrus." 
Hereupon  the  governor  wrote  to  king  Darius,  requesting 
to  inquire  into  the  matter,  whether  such  permission  had 
been  given  the  Jews.  Inquiry  was  made,  and  a  roll,  which 
contained  the  decree  of  king  Cyrus,  concerning  the  re- 
building of  the  Temple,  having  been  found,  the  governors 
of  the  king  were  instructed  not  only  not  to  hinder  the 
work  of  the  Jews,  but  even  to  assist  them,  and  defray  all 
necessary  expenses  from  the  royal  treasury ;  the  sacrifices 
also  should  be  furnished  to  them,  that  they  could  pray  to 
their  God  for  the  life  of  the  king  and  of  his  sons. 

Thus  the  work  was  finit^hed  after  four  years.  The  con- 
secration of  the  Temple  was  then  celebrated  with  great 
joy  and  exultation  ;  ''for  God  had  made  them  joyful,  and 
turned  the  heart  of  the  king  unto  them." 


§  71.  Esther. 

The  history  of  the  Jews  who  remained  in  Persia,  con- 
tains an  event  which  teaches  us  anf'W,  how  God's  provi- 
dence watches  over  the  destinies  of  man. 

After  the  death  of  king  Cyrus,  Ahasuerus  ascended  the 
royal  throne.    Under  his  reign,  there  lived  at  Shushan^  the 


128  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

capital  of  the  kingdom,  a  Jew,  whose  name  was  Mordecai^ 
and  who  had  adopted  and  educated  Esther^  the  daughtei 
of  his  uncle,  because  she  had  neither  father  nor  mother. 
Esther  was  pious  and  beautiful,  and  pleased  the  king  so 
much,  that  he  chose  her  for  his  wife.  But  she  told  no  one 
that  she  was  a  Jewess ;  for  thus  had  Mordecai  charged 
her.  Mordecai  went  every  morning  to  the  gate  of  the 
royal  palace  to  inquire  after  her  welfare.  Once  he  overheard 
two  chamberlains,  as  they  conspired  to  slay  the  kuig. 
Faithful  to  his  king,  he  informed  him,  through  Esther,  ol 
the  conspiracy.  The  matter  was  investigated,  and  the  in- 
formation being  found  correct,  the  two  chamberlains  were 
hanged,  and  the  name  of  Mordecai  recorded,  together  with 
the  narrative  of  the  event,  in  the  chronicles  of  the  empire. 

At  that  time,  a  certain  Ilaman  was  the  king's  favorite. 
Now,  this  Haman  was  greatly  displeased  with  Mordecai, 
because  he  would  not  bend  his  knee  before  him.  '*This 
homage,"  thought  Mordecai,  "  I  can  pay  only  to  my  God." 
For  this  reason,  Ilaman  resolved  to  take  revenge,  but  not 
upon  Mordecai  alone,  but  upon  all  his  brethren,  and  to 
carry  out  his  design,  he  advised  the  king  to  destroy  the 
Jews;  "for,"  said  he,  "  this  people  is  scattered,  yet  sepa- 
rated among  the  nations  in  all  the  provinces  of  thy  king- 
dom ;  and  their  laws  are  different  from  those  of  every 
people,  while  they  do  not  execute  the  laws  of  the  king; 
and  it  is  no  profit  for  the  king  to  tolerate  them.  If  it  be 
pleasing  to  the  king,  let  a  decree  be  written  to  destroy 
them,  and  ten  thousand  talents  of  silver  will  I  weigh  out 
into  the  king's  treasuries.  The  king  yielded,  and  a  decree 
was  at  once  sent  to  all  the  provinces  of  the  empire,  "  to 
destroy,  to  kill,  and  to  exterminate  all  the  Jews,  from 
young  to  old,  little  ones,  men  and  women,  on  one  day,  the 
thirteenth  day  of  the  twelfth  month,  Ad<xr^  and  to  plunder 
th«ir  property  as  spoil." 

When  Mordecai  heard  this,  he  rent  his  clothes,  wept 
and  lamented,  and  informed  Esther  of  the  designs  of  Ila- 
man, and  admonished  her,  at  the  same  time,  to  address 
the  king  and  implore  his  grace  for  her  people.  But  alas! 
she,  like  all  the  king's  subjects,  could  not  approach  him 
uncalled,  at  the  penalty  of  death.  Yet,  her  love  for  her 
people  was  so  strong,  that  she  risked  her  life.     For  liiree 


BIBLICAL  HISTOliY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  129 

days  she  fasted  and  prayed,  and  with  her  all  her  brethren ; 
and  then  she  appeared  before  the  king.  As  soon  as  he 
saw  her,  he  rose,  extended  his  hand  to  her,  and  asked  her 
what  she  desired.  She  answered;  '*If  it  please  the  king, 
let  the  king  and  Haman  come  this  day  unto  the  banquet 
that  I  have  prepared  for  him."  This  request,  the  only  one 
which  Esther  uttered,  was  granted.  At  the  table,  the 
king  was  in  such  good  humor  that  he  permitted  the  queen 
to  ask  some  favor.  And  she  requested  the  king  and  Haman 
"to  come  to  another  banquet  which  she  would  prepare 
for  to-morrow."  Full  of  joy  and  pleasure,  Haman  left 
the  royal  palace.  But  when  he  again  saw  Mordecai  at  the 
king's  gate,  "  who  did  not  rise  up  nor  move  out  of  his 
way,"  he  said  to  his  wife,  after  telling  her  of  the  honor 
and  glory  lavished  upon  him  by  the  queen:  *'Yet,  all  this 
profiteth  me  nothing,  as  long  as  I  see  that  Jew  Mordecai 
sitting  in  the  king's  gate.  He  then  resolved  to  erect 
a  gallows,  fifty  cubits  high,  to  hang  Mordecai  thereon  in 
the  morning. 

In  that  same  night  it  so  happened,  that  the  king  could 
not  sleep,  and  he  ordered,  with  a  view  of  whiling  away 
the  time,  that  the  books  of  the  memorable  events  of  the 
chronicles  should  be  brought  before  him,  and  passages 
read  from  them.  On  this  occasion  the  king  heard  again 
of  the  conspiracy  of  the  two  chamberlains,  and  was  greatly 
astonished  also  to  learn,  that  Mordecai  had  never  been 
rewarded  for  his  loyalty. 

In  the  morning  Haman  entered  the  king's  palace  very 
early,  to  crave  his  permission  for  hanging  Mordecai  upon 
the  gallows.  When  the  king  heard  that  Haman  was  in 
the  court,  he  called  him  in,  and  asked  him:  "  What  shall 
be  done  unto  the  man  whom  the  king  desireth  to  honor !" 
The  vain  and  ambitious  Haman,  thinking  that  the  king 
could  allude  to  no  man  but  himself,  replied:  ** For  the 
man  whom  the  king  delighteth  to  honor,  let  the  royal  ap- 
parel be  brought  which  the  king  useth  to  wear,  and  the 
horse  that  the  king  rideth  upon,  and  the  crown  royal 
which  is  set  upon  his  head :  and  let  this  apparel  and  horse 
be  delivered  to  the  hand  of  one  of  the  king's  most  noble 
princes,  that  they  may  array  the  man  withal  whom  the 
king  delighteth   to  honor,  and  bring  him  on  horseback 


130  BIBLICAL   HISTORY    FOR   ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS. 

through  the  streets  of  the  city,  and  proclaim  before  him. 
Thus  shall  it  be  done  to  the  man  whom  the  king  delight(^th 
to  honor."  *' Well  spoken,"  said  the  king,  "  make  haste, 
and  do  this  to  Mordecai,  the  Jew  that  sitteth  at  the  king's 
gate;  leave  out  nothing  of  all  that  thou  hast  spoken." 
Haman  was  obliged  to  obey.  Having  faithfully  executed 
the  order  of  the  king,  he  returned  home,  in  sadness,  and 
with  his  head  covered,  and  there  related  what  had  hap^ 
pened,  No  sooner  had  he  concluded  his  narrative,  than 
the  king's  servants  came  to  conduct  him  to  the  queen's 
banquet 

At  table  the  king  remembered  his  promise,  and  asked 
Esther  again:  "What  wilt  thou,  and  what  is  thy  request! 
and  were  it  even  half  of  the  kingdom,  it  should  still  ba 
given  thee!"  Then  Esther  the  queen  answered  and  said : 
''  If  I  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight,  O  king,  and  if  it  please 
the  king,  let  my  life  be  given  me  at  my  petition,  and  my 
people  at  my  request ;  for  we  are  sold,  I  and  my  people, 
to  be  destroyed,  to  be  slain,  and  to  perish." 

To  the  question  of  the  king,  "  Who  is  it,  and  where  is 
he,  whose  heart  lias  emboldened  him  to  do  so?"  Esther 
replied;  "An  advei-sary — that  cruel  man — this  wicked 
Haman :" 

Haman  became  so  terrified  that  he  could  not  endure  the 
looks  of  the  king  an<l  queen.  But  the  king  became  enraged 
against  him,  and,  when  one  of  his  servatits  told  him  that 
Haman  had  prepared  a  gallows  for  Mordecai,  who  had 
saved  the  king's  life,  he  ordered  that  Haman  should  be 
hanged  thereon,  and  Mordecai  receive  his  place.  And  the 
decree,  to  destroy  the  Jews  on  one  day,  was  not  executed. 
On  that  day,  there  was  some  fighting  between  their  ene- 
mies and  the  Jews,  but  the  latter  were  victorious,  and  the 
following  day  was  a  day  of  joy  and  festival  for  them.  Even 
many  heathens  embraced  their  religion.  In  commemoration 
of  this  event,  the  Jews  celebrate,  even  to  this  day,  on  the 
fourteenth  of  Adar,  the  annual  Feast  of  Purlm — that  is, 
LotSy  so  called,  because  Haman  had  cast  lots  for  fixing  the 
day  of  the  extermination  of  the  Jews,  and  God  changed  it 
to  their  advantage. 


biblical  history  for  israeliti3h  schools*       131 
72.  Ezra  and  Nehemiah. 

Under  the  reign  of  Artaoserxes,  the  priest  and  scribe 
Ezra  also  left  Babylon  and  went  to  Jerusalem,  accom- 
panied by  many  priests,  Levites,  singers,  and  other  min- 
isters of  the  Temple,  together  with  more  than  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  persons,  to  promote  the  affairs  of  his 
brethren.  The  military  escort  offered  to  him  by  his  king, 
he  would  not  accept;  ''for,"  said  he,  " God  is  my  Shield 
and  Protection."  He  carried,  however,  a  letter  of  the 
king  with  him,  containing  the  royal  order,  that  the  pro- 
vince of  Babylon  should,  as  the  king  had  done,  assist  Ezra 
by  contributions  of  money,  and  that  the  latter  was  vested 
with  the  power  of  teaching  the  law,  and  appointing 
magistrates  and  judges. 

When  Ezra  arrived  at  Jerusalem  he  perceived,  to  his 
profound  grief,  that  the  Jews  did  manifest  but  little  zeal 
in  the  fulfillment  of  their  religious  obligations,  and  espe- 
cially that  many  of  them,  and  among  them  even  priests 
and  Levites,  had  married  heathen  women.  In  his  grief  he 
rent  his  clothes,  plucked  off  the  hair  of  his  head  and  beard, 
and  sat  down,  solitary,  and  absorbed  in  meditations  how 
things  could  be  improved.  In  the  evening  he  assembled 
the  people,  offered  up  most  fervent  prayers,  and  admonished 
them  to  mend  their  ways.  The  people  were  moved,  and 
the  better  ones  exclaimed:  "Yes,  we  have  trespassed 
against  our  God ;  yet,  let  us  make  a  new  Covenant  with 
God — we  are  with  thee!"  Ezra  then  admonished  them  to 
come  again  to  Jerusalem  on  the  third  day,  that  they  might 
deliberate  together  upon  further  measures.  Numerous  wa3 
the  assembly,  notwithstanding  the  heavy  rain  which  then 
fell;  they  resolved  and  solemnly  vowed  to  send  away  their 
heathen  wives,  and  henceforth  remain  faithful  to  their  God. 

When  Ezra  thus  labored  in  Jerusalem,  another  pious 
Israelite,  Nehemiah^  held  the  office  of  cup-bearer  at  the 
court  of  king  Artaxerxes.  When  he  learned  that  his 
brethren,  who  had  returned  to  Jerusalem,  lived  in  want  and 
misery,  that  the  walls  of  the  city  were  still  in  ruins,  and 
its  gates  not  yet  rebuilt,  he  wept,  prayed,  and  fasted,  his 
cheeks  grew  hollow,  and  his  whole  countenance  bore  the 
marks  of  profound  woe  and  grief.     The  king  observed 


132  BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOB   ISRAEUTISH    SCHOOLS. 

this,  and  asked  him:  *'Why  is  thy  countenance  sad?'* 
To  which  Nehemiah  replied  :  "Why  should  not  my  coun- 
tenance be  sad,  when  the  city,  the  place  of  my  fathers' 
sepulchres,  lieth  waste,  and  the  gates  thereof  are  consumed 
with  iBre."  Then  said  the  king :  "  For  what  dost  thou  make 
request.*"  Nehemiah  replied:  "If  it  please  the  king,  and 
if  thy  servant  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight,  that  thou 
wouldest  send  me  unto  Judah,  to  assist  my  brethren." 
The  king  granted  Nehemiah's  request,  and  gave  him,  more- 
over, letters  to  the  governors,  ordering  them  to  provide 
the  Jews  with  timber  for  their  work,  and  protect  them  in 
its  execution.  Amved  at  Jerusalem,  Nehemiah  admonished 
all  the  Jews  to  be  zealous  and  industrious,  and  encouraged 
them  by  his  own  example.  But  Sanhallat,  a  Samaritan, 
and  other  adversaries  of  the  Jews,  laughed  them  to  scorn, 
and  said:  "What  is  this  thing  that  ye  dot  it  appears  that 
ye  intend  to  rebel  against  the  king."  And  Tobiah,  another 
of  their  enemies,  said:  "Let  them  but  build:  if  a  fox  go 
up,  he  shall  even  break  down  their  stone  wall."  The  Jews 
did  not  heed  these  speeches,  but  continued  their  work 
with  increased  zeal ;  "  every  one  with  one  of  his  hands 
wrought  in  the  work,  and  with  the  other  hand  held  a 
weapon."  Thus  they  completed  the  walls  in  Hfty-two  days. 
Soon  after,  there  was  great  famine  in  the  land,  and  many 
Israelites  came  to  Nehemiah  and  said :  "  We,  our  sons, 
and  our  daughters,  are  many ;  therefore  we  take  up  corn 
for  them,  that  wo  may  eat,  and  live.  We  have  mortgaged 
our  lands,  vineyards,  and  houses,  that  we  might  buy  corn, 
because  of  the  dearth.  We  have  borrowed  money  for  the 
king's  tiibute,  and  that  upon  our  lands  and  vineyards. 
Yet  now  our  flesh  is  as  the  flesh  of  our  brethren,  our  chil- 
dren as  their  children :  and  lo,  we  bring  into  bondage  our 
sons  and  our  daughters  to  be  servants,  and  some  of  our 
daughters  are  brought  unto  bondage  already :  neither  is 
it  in  our  power  to  redeem  them ;  for  other  men  have  our 
lands  and  vineyards."  When  Nehemiah  heard  these  com- 
plaints, he  rebuked  the  nobles,  and  the  rulers,  and  said : 
"  Will  ye  exact  usury  of  your  brethren  1  Should  ye  not 
walk  in  the  fear  of  our  God  because  of  the  reproach 
of  the  heathen,  our  enemies?"  Then  they  answered: 
"We  will  restore  them   every   thing,   and  will  require 


BIBLICAL  HISTORY  FOR   ISRAEUTISH   SCHOOLS.  133 

nothing  of  them."  Nehemiah  himself,  although  royal 
governor,  took  no  salary,  and  led  a  very  frugal  life, 
that  the  people  might  not  be  burthened  with  taxes  :  nor 
would  he  allow  his  servants  to  oppress  them.  Every  day 
he  invited  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  his  own  table,  and 
showed  himself  the  best  pattern  for  all. 

When  the  external  security  was  established,  the  people 
assembled  at  Jerusalem,  that  they  might  hear  the  law, 
which  Ezra  read  to  them  from  morning  until  mid -day. 
He  stood  upon  a  kind  of  pulpit,  while  the  people  remained 
standing  until  he  had  concluded.  He  then  thanked  and 
praised  God,  the  Holy  Ope  of  Israel,  and  all  the  people 
answered:  "Amen!  Amen!"  Afterwards,  they  made  a 
solemn  vow  to  be  faithful  to  the  laws  of  their  God,  and 
affirmed  it  by  signing  a  written  covenant. 

Soon  after,  Nehemiah  was  compelled  to  return  to  his 
king,  but  when  he  came  back  to  Jerusalem,  he  found,  to 
his  deep  mortification,  that  his  arrangements  had  but  par- 
tially been  complied  with.  Even  Manasseh,  a  priest,  re- 
fused to  send  away  his  heathen  wife,  the  daughter  of  San- 
ballot,  the  Samaritan,  so  that  Nehemiah  was  compelled  to 
banish  him  from  the  country. 

This  religious  lukewarm ness  on  the  part  of  the  Jews, 
called  forth  the  rebukes  of  Malachi,  the  last  of  the  pro- 
phets. He  severely  reproved  his  brethren  who  would 
marry  heathen  women,  refused  to  pay  the  tithes,  and 
neglected  the  service  of  God ;  and  his  words  seem  to  have 
produced  the  desired  effect. 


§  73.   Further  Events  in  the  History  op  the  Jews. 

The  Jews  gradually  multiplied  again,  spread  over  the 
country,  and  lived  peaceful  and  contented  under  the  rule 
of  the  Persian  kings,  who  placed  governors  over  them, 
while  their  priests  possessed,  as  in  former  times,  the  highest 
power  in  their  spiritual  affairs,  and  afterwards  obtained 
even  some  authority  with  regard  to  the  management  of 
their  civil  concern.  After  the  conquest  of  Persia  by 
Alexander  the  Greats  the  Judeans  became  the  subjects  of 
this  illustrious  prince.     Alter  his  death,  and  the  divisioa 

12 


134  BIBUCAL   HISTJRY    FOR   ISRAELITISH    SCHOOLS. 

of  his  empire,  they  lived,  for  almost  a  century,  under  th^ 
rule  of  the  kin^s  oi  Ef/yjyt,  the  Ptolemies^  and  tlien  under 
that  of  the  Syrian  kings.  Durini;  the  reign  of  all  these 
kings,  they  were  entirely  free  and  independent,  with  regard 
both  to  their  religious  and  civil  aifairs ;  they  had  only  to 
pay  a  fixed  tribute.  But  things  changed  under  the  Syrian 
king  Antiochits  Epijyhanes.  He  treated  the  Jews  with 
great  cruelty;  he  captured  Jerusalem,  took  the  sacred 
vessels,  slew  men,  women  and  children,  and  made  all 
efforts  to  make  the  Jews  idolaters. 

As  an  instance  of  his  atrocious  cmelty,  let  us  listen  to 
the  following  narrative.  He  oi^ered  a  mother  with  her 
seven  sons  to  be  brought  before  him,  and  to  be  tortured, 
in  order  thus  to  force  them  to  forsake  their  religion.  But 
neither  threat  nor  promise  could  move  them.  "'There  is 
another  life,"  said  the  pious  mother,  *'  lasting  longer  than 
the  ])resent ;  though  they  take  this  life,  which  is  but  short, 
the  Lord  shall  give  us  another — far  better  one — lasting 
unto  eternity."  Joyfully  did  the  sons  endure  the  most 
horrible  tortures,  and  one  after  the  other  met  his  death 
with  the  most  astonishing  courage;  and  ailer  all  of  them, 
their  noble-liearted  and  virtuous  mother  willingly  submit- 
ted to  be  made  a  victim  of  her  faithfulness  to  her  God  and 
religion. 

Antiochufl  sent  messengers  also  to  the  priest  3fattathias, 
to  induce  him  to  apostasy.  With  contempt  he  refused 
their  offers,  collected  a  faithful  band  around  him,  and  suc- 
ceeded so  far  witli  them  and  his  five  sons,  of  whom  Xudah 
Maccahl  was  the  most  gallant,  that  he  could  defy  the 
king's  haughtiness.  Some  time  afterwards,  Antiochus  set 
out  to  go  in  person  to  Jerusalem  and  subjugate  the  Jews. 
But  he  fell  from  his  chariot,  and  was  taken  dangerously 
ill.  Now  he  promised  to  improve.  But  it  was  of  no 
avail ;  his  sufferings  increased ;  while  yet  alive,  his  body 
decayed,  worms  grew  upon  him,  and  the  odor  near  him 
was  intolerable.    At  last  he  died  under  the  greatest  agonies. 

In  the  mean  while,  Judah  Maccabi  entered  Jerusalem, 
cleansed  the  temple,  re-erected  the  altar,  and  celebrated 
with  his  brethren,  during  eight  days,  the  Feast  of  Dedi- 
ecUion^  which  is  still  obsei-ved  eveiy  year  in  Israel. 


BIBUCAL   HISTORY   FOR   ISRAELITISH   SCHOOLS.  135 

Thus  the  Jews  were  again  free,  and  lived  in  peace  and 
concord.  The  descendants  of  Matthatias  became  the  kings 
of  the  new  Jewish  Commonwealth,  which  was,  in  later 
times,  again  visited  by  strifes  and  contentions.  Several 
religions  sects  grew  into  existence;  hatred  and  discord 
went  on  increasing,  the  nation  was  separated  in  parties, 
and  the  Roman  General,  Pompey,  was  requested  by  one 
of  the  Maccabean  family  to  afford  him  aid.  Thus  the  land 
of  the  Jews  was  made  tributary  to  the  Roman  empire. 
By  the  aid  of  the  Romans,  Herod,  the  Edomite.  ascended 
the  throne  of  Judea,  but  was  so  cruel  and  ambitious,  that 
fie  brought  great  misery  .upon  his  people.  Still  worse 
fared  the  Jews  after  his  death,  when  Roman  governors 
ruled  over  them  with  such  intolerable  cruelty,  as  to  excite 
them  to  rebellion.  Now,  JSTero^  the  emperor  of  Rome, 
sent  V<es2mslan,  and  his  son  Titus  to  Judea,  to  quell  the 
rebellion.  After  the  most  terrible  struggles,  Jerusalem 
and  the  Temple  were  at  last  destroyed,  and  the  Jewish 
people  dispersed  over  all  parts  of  the  earth.  From  that 
time,  Israel  has  ceased  to  be  an  independent  nation,  and 
the  Jews  are  in  duty  bound  to  regard  and  love  that  land 
wherein  they  live,  as  their  home  and  country,  to  obey  its 
laws,  and  to  promote  the  welfare  of  all  their  fellow-citizens, 
without  distinction  of  creed  and  denomination. 


APPENDIX. 


A  Brief  Outline  of  the  G-eography  of  Canaan. 

I. 

Canaan — called  also  Palestine^  the  LandofJudah^  the 
Land  of  Israel,  the  Promised  Land,  the  Iloly  Land-^ 
forms  a  portion  of  Asia,  and  covers  an  area  of  about  eighteen 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  square  miles.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  East  by  the  Arabian  desert,  on  the  South, 
by  Arabia  and  Egypt,  on  the  West,  by  the  Mediterranean 
Sea,  and  on  the  North,  by  Phoenicia  and  Syria. 

IL 

Canaan  is  a  mountainous  country — "a  land  of  hills  and 
valleys."  Of  its  mountains  we  mention:  1.  Lebanon  and 
Anti-Lebanon,  the  south-eastern  continuation  of  which  is 
called  Ilermon.  2.  The  Mountains  of  Kaphtali,  3. 
Mount  CarmeL  4.  Mount  Tabor.  5.  Mount  Gilboa.  6. 
The  Mountains  of  Ephraim,  or  Israel— of  which  the  fol- 
lowing points  are  noted,  namely:  Zaltnon,  Gerizim,  Ubal, 
and  Gaash.  7.  The  Mountains  of  Judea,  with  Mount 
Carmel,  (not  to  be  mistaken  for  Mount  Carmel  mentioned 
under  No.  3,)  and  the  Mount  of  Olives.  8.  The  Moun-^ 
tains  of  Gilead,  9.  The  Abarim  Mountains,  with  Mount 
Peor  and  Mount  Nebo. 

HL 

Although  Palestine  is  very  mountainous,  it  contains 
nevertheless,  some  Plains  or  Level  regions.  Such  are : 
Tlie  Plain  of  Jezreel;  the  Plain  of  Sharon,  near  Mount 
Carmel ;  the  Plain  of  Jordan/  the  Plain  of  Jericho/  the 
Plain  of  Moab, 

IV. 

The  most  noted  Valleys  of  Palestine  are  the  following: 
The  Valley  of  Salt ;  the  Valley  of  Kidron;  the  Valley 
of  Gerar;  the  Valley  of  Hinnom;  the  Valley  of  Re- 
phaim^  and  the  Volley  of  EshcoL 


APPENDIX. 


137 


The  Bible  raentions,  also,  Deserts  of  Canaan.  Those 
most  known  are :  The  Wilderness  of  Judea^  connected 
with  the  wildernesses  of  Engedi,  Ziph,  and  Maon ;  the 
Wilderness  of  J^eer-Sheba. 

VI. 

The  principal  river  of  Palestine  is  the  tfordan.  Rising 
at  the  foot  of  Mount  Herinon,  it  traverses  the  country 
from  north  to  south,  to  an  extent  of  ninety  miles,  and 
empties  into  the  Dead  Sea.  The  Klshon  comes  from 
Mount  Tabor,  and  flows  into  one  of  the  bays  of  the  Medi- 
terranean Sea.  The  Arnon  rises  from  the  Arabian  Moun- 
tains, and  empties  into  the  Dead  Sea.  The  tTabhoh^  near 
the  boundaries  of  the  Ammonites,  flows  into  the  Jordan. 
The  Kidron^  near  Jerusalem,  empties  into  the  Dead  Sea. 

VII. 

There  are  three  renowned  Lakes  in  Canaan:  1.  The 
Sea  of  Chinnereth,  (called  also  the  Sea  of  Galilee^  and 
Sea  of  Tiberias,)  2.  The  Sea  of  Merom.  3.  The  Salt 
Sea,  (called,  also,  the  Dead  Sea,  Lake  Asphaltites,  and  the 
Sea  of  the  Flain,) 

VIII. 

Of  the  Mineral  Waters  of  Canaan  we  may  mention : 
The  Warm  Baths  of  Tiberias;  the  Mineral  Springs  of 
Kallirrhooe,  near  Macherus ;  the  sulphur  springs  of  Gadara. 

On  account  of  the  want  of  water-wells,  cisterns  were 
used  in  Palestine,  to  gather  and  keep  rain-water  in  them 

IX. 

The  climate  of  Palestine  is  mild.  In  ancient  times,  the 
year  was  divided  in  Six  Seasons.  The  first  season.  Seed- 
time,  lasted  from  the  middle  of  October  to  the  middle  of 
December,  and  is  distinguished  by  the  "early  rain," 
(yoreh;)  the  second  or  Winter  season,  lasted  from  the 
middle  of  December  to  the  middle  of  February ;  the  third, 
Spring,  lasted  from  the  middle  of  February  to  the  middle 
of  April,  during  which  time,  the  so-called  'Matter  rain" 
imalkosh)  fell      The  fom-th  season,  Harvest-time^  lasted 


138  Al'l'ENDIX. 

from  the  middle  of  April  to  the  middle  of  June ;  the  fifth 
closed  in  the  middle  of  August;  and  the  sixth,  in  the 
middle  of  October. 

X. 

With  the  climate  of  the  country,  the  Mode  of  Dressing 
of  the  inhabitants,  which  was  very  simple,  is  naturally 
connected.  The  shirt,  called  Tunic,  was  bound  round  the 
waist  with  a  girdle.  The  garment  over  the  tunic,  was  a 
kind  of  cloak,  and  formed,  in  front,  a  '^  bosom,"''  or  large 
fold,  which  was  used  for  carrying  various  burdens.  The 
head  was  covered  by  a  piece  of  fine  cloth,  laid  in  folds,  in 
the  shape  of  a  turban.  As  a  covering  for  the  feet,  simple 
8oles  {sandals)  were  used,  which  were  fastened  with  straps 
around  tlie  foot  and  ankle.  For  journeys,  a  second  Tipper 
Garment  was  used,  and  served  during  night,  both  for  a 
cover  and  hammock. 

The  dress  of  women  differed  from  that  of  men.  Women 
could  never  be  without  their  veils ;  and  most  precious 
ornaments,  such  as  bracelets,  necklaces  and  Jinger-rings 
were  by  no  means  rai*e  articles. 

XI. 

In  former  times,  Palestine  was  a  very  fertile  country, 
and  distinguished  as  "aland  flowing  with  miik  and  honey.'* 
The  plains  and  valley.s  presented  ever-blooming  gardens ; 
the  greatest  number  of  the  mountains  were  most  carefully 
cultivated. 

The  chiet  productions  of  the  land  were  various  kinds 
oi  grains,  leguminous  plaivts,  garden  vegetables,  flowers, 
spices,  and  a  vast  number  ot*  the  most  cultivated  species  of 
trees.  Among  all  these  we  may  raentio:i,  as  tbe  most 
noted,  wheat,  barley,  lentils,  beans,  cumin,  flax,  cotton,  the 
olive-tree,  the  cypress-tree,  the  pomegranate-tree,  the  fig- 
tree,  the  myrrh-tree,  the  terebinth,  the  oak,  the  fir,  the 
zakkum-tree,  the  carob-tree,  the  palm,  the  cedar,,  and  the 
sugar-tree.  The  vine  grew  in  luxuriant  abundance.  Of 
tame  animals,  the  following  among  others,  deserve  par- 
ticular notice :  the  sheep,  the  goat^  and  other  domesticated 
animals ;  the  ass,  the  camel,  and  dogs ;  also  ditferei^t  kinds 
of  poulti-y.      Of  wild  beasts,   Palestine  prod^usod  bijai's, 


APPENDIX.  139 

lions,  wolves,  foxes,  jackals,  unicorns,  crocodiles,  ostriches, 
gazelles,  chamois,  stags  and  deer. 

XII. 

Canaan  was  sometimes  visited  by  the  following  Plagues: 
Earthquakes,  destructive  east-winds,  hail,  locusts,  pesti- 
lence, drought,  devastating  rain-showers. 

XIII. 

The  Cities  of  Palestine  had  very  narrow  streets,  (of  but 
four  cubits  in  width,)  and  were  without  pavement  Even 
Jerusalem  received  its  pavement  only  under  the  reign  of 
Agrippa  II.  The  greater  cities  had  extensive  market- 
places near  their  gates,  and  very  high  walls,  (forts,)  with 
towers  and  breastworks.  The  gates  were  often  overlaid 
with  iron,  copper,  or  brass,  ("brazen  gates,")  The  houses 
were  built  of  rough  stone  or  brick;  palaces,  of  square- 
stone  and  marble.  The  house  presented  a  square  figure, 
had  a  spacious  com%  which  was  generally  without  cover- 
ing ;  only  now  and  then  a  curtain  was  drawn  over  it,  to 
keep  off  the  burning  sun.  Round  this  court  ran  the  hall, 
with  cisterns  for  bathing.  The  roofs  of  the  houses  were 
flat  and  surrounded  by  a  battlement.  The  furniture  of  a 
house  was  scanty.  Stoves  were  unknown ;  during  severe 
weather,  a  moveable  chimney  was  used,  in  which  burned 
a  coal-fire,  or  stood  a  pot  filled  with  burning  char-coal. 
Tlie  houses  had  no  windows,  but  were  provided  either 
-with  lattice-ioork,  or  curtains  of  net  work.  The  doors 
were  barred  with  wooden  bolts ;  only  prisons  and  other 
public  edifices  were  provided  with  iron  locks. 

XIV. 

After  having  conquered  Canaan,  Joshua  divided  the 
land  among  the  twelve  tribes. 

On  this  side  of  the  Jordan  lived,  from  the  South  to  the 
North,  the  tribes  of  Judah,  Simon,  Benjamin,  Dan,  Eph- 
raim,  Half  of  the  tribe  of  Manasseh,  Asher,  Issachar, 
Zebulun,  Naphtali.  Beyond  the  Jordan  dwelt  the  tribes 
of  Reuben,  Gad,  and  Half  of  Manasseh. 


140  APPENDIX. 

Diirincr  the  rale  of  the  Romans  in  Palestine,  the  land 
was  divided  into  the  provinces  of  Judea,  Samaria,  Galilee, 
and  PeraBa. 

rTudea,  the  most  southern  province,  contained  the  fol- 
lowing cities:  Jerusalem,  Gaza,  Joppa,  Jericho,  Jamnia, 
Lachish,  Adullam,  Eglon,  Hebron,  Tekoa,  JVlizpah,  Gibeon, 
Gilgal,  Ramah. 

Samaria,  which  bounded  Judea  on  the  North,  had  the 
following  cities:  Samaria,  (Sliomeron,)  Shiloh,  Bethel, 
Siehem,  Thebez,  Dotham,  Gilgal,  Tirzah,  Bezek. 

In  Galilee^  the  most  northern  province,  we  tind  the  fol- 
lowing cities :  Shumen,  Endor,  Megiddo,  Tiberia,  Kedesh, 
Dan. 

Percea,  (the  land  east  of  the  Jordan,  Gilead,  Bashan,) 
had  the  following  cities:  Aroer,  Baal-Meoa,  Siiittim, 
Heshbon,  Mahanaim. 

XV. 

The  neighboring  tuitions  and  countries  of  Palestine  were: 
1.  The  Phcenicidns,  whom  the  Israelites  called  Canaan^ 
ites.  2.  The  Philistines,  with  the  cities  of  Askalon,  Ash- 
dod,  Gaza,  Ekron,  Gath.  3.  The  Amalekites,  to  the  south 
of  the  former,  who  descended  from  one  of  Esau's  grandsons. 
4.  The  Midianites,  who  inhabited  the  region  from  Sinai  to 
the  Anibian  Sea.  5.  The  Edomites,  descendants  from 
Edom  or  Esau,  with  the  following  cities :  Selah,  Bozrah, 
Masrekah,  Toman,  and  the  sea-ports  of  Elath  and  Ezion- 
geber.  6.  The  Moabites,  to  the  East  of  the  Dead  Sea- 
with  the  city  of  Zoar.  7.  The  Amarites  and  Ammonites, 
to  the  north  of  Moab.  8.  Syria,  to  the  north-east  of 
Palestine,  comprised  several  countries,  of  which  we  may 
mention:  Mesojwtomia.  (Aram-Naharim,  Padam  Aram,) 
Aram-Zobah,  and  Aram-Damesek.  To  the  south  of  Meso- 
potamia we  find  Babylon  on  the  Euphrates,  and  Assyria 
on  the  Tigris,  with  its  capital,  2fineveh.  Further  to  the 
east  we  find  Media  and  Persia,  with  their  capitals  ISdxi* 
tana  and  Shushan. 


I  :isrD  Ex^ 


I.  Primeval  History  op  the  Human  Race. 


1.  The  Creation  of  the  World   . 

2.  The  First  Sin        .         .         . 

3.  Cain  and  Abel 

4.  Noah 

5.  Noah's  departure  from  the  Ark 

6.  The  Descendants  of  Noah     . 


§  7. 
§     8. 

§  9. 
§  10. 

§  11. 
§  12. 
§  13. 
§  14. 
§  15. 
§  IG. 
§  17. 
§  18. 
§  19. 
§  20. 
§  21. 
§  22. 
§  23. 
§  24. 
§  25. 
§  2G. 


n.  The  Patriauchs. 


Page 

3 
4 

6 

7 

8 

10 


11 


Abraham  the  Progenitor  of  the  IsraelitiRh  Nation 
Abraham  showing  his  Peaceful  Disposition 

and  his  Generosity 12 

Abraham,  the  Man  of  Faith  ....  13 
Abraham,  the  Hospitable  and  Compassionate 

Patriarch          .         .         .         .         .         .  14 

The  Destruction  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah      .  16 

Abraham's  Obedieiice    .         .         .         .         .  16 

Abraham's  Paternal  Solicitude  for  his  Son  Isaac  18 

Isaac 19 

Jacob  and  Esau    ....••  20 

Jacob's  Journey  to  Ilaran      •         •         .         ,  21 

Jacob's  Sojourn  witli  Laban  .         .         .         ,  23 

Jacob's  Return  to  his  Native  Country    .         .  24 

The  Brothers  of  Joseph  selling  him  from  Envy  26 

Joseph  a  Slave 27 

Josepii  in  Prison 28 

The  release  of  Joseph 29 

The  First  Journey  of  Joseph's  Brothers  to  Egypt  30 
The  Second  Journey  of  Joseph's  Brothers  to  Egypt  32 

The  Recognition  .             .....  35 

The  family  of  Jacob  removing  to  Egypt        .  36 


INDEX.  143 

III.  The  Israelites  in  Egypt.  Page 

§  27.  The  Birth  of  Moses 39 

§  28.  Mioses  manifesting  his  Attachment  to  his  Fellow- 
Believers  40 

§  29  The  Appointment  of  Moses     ....  41 
§  30  The  Deliverance  of  the  Israelites  from  the 

Egyptian  Bondage  .....  43 
§  31  The  Destruction  of  Pharaoh  ....  45 
§  S2  The  Proclamation  of  the  Law  on  Mount  Sinai  46 
§  33.  The  Israelites  worshipping  the  Golden  Calf  48 
§  34.  Ritual  Institutions:  The  Tabernacle  of  the  Cove- 
nant— The  Priests — The  Levites  .  .  49 
§  35.  The  Rebellions  of  the  People,  caused  by  their 

Hardships  in  the  Wilderness     .         .         .  52 
§  36.  Difficulties  arising  from  Rebellions  of  Individual 

Israelites .         .         .         .         •         .         .  54 

§  37.  Wars  with  Neighboring  Nations   ...  55 
§  38.  Moses  sends  Spies  into  Canaan.     The  Close  of 

Israel's  Wanderings  in  the  Wilderness     .  58 
§  39.  Moses'  Farewell  Address  to  his  People.  His  Death  59 

IV.  Israel  as  a  Nation. 

A.     tToshua. —  The  Judges. 

§  40.  Joshua.     The  Conquest  of  Canaan         ♦         .  62 

§  41.  Joshua's  Parting  Address.     His  Death  .  64 

§  42.  The  Judges 65 

§  43.  The  Judges,  (continued)       *         ,         ,         *  ^^ 

§  44.  The  History  of  Samson         ....  70 

§  45.  Eli  and  Samuel 73 

§  46.  The  Sons  of  Eli 74 

§  47.  The  Meritorious  Acts  of  Samuel    ...  75 

§  48.  God  tries  and  guides  the  Pious,  (Ruth)  ,  76 

B.     The  Kings  over  the  Undivided  Empire  of  Israel. 

§  49.  Saul  raised  to  the  Royal  Throne    ...  78 

§  50.  David  anointed  King  over  Israel  ...  80 

§  51.  Saul  persecuting  David  .         .         .         •  82 

§  52.  David,  King  of  Israel 85 

§  53.  The  Rebellion  of  Absalom.— Death  of  David  86 

§  54.  Solomon 90 

§  55.  The  Separation  of  the  Kingdom    .         .        »  62 


144 

**  INDEX 


C.     The  Kings  of  Israel 

Page 

§  56.  Jeroboam 94 

§  57.  The  Kings  of  Israel,  (contimied)  Nadab — Baasha 

Elah — Zinii' —  )mri — Ahab    ...  95 

97 

99 

100 

102 

104 


§  58.  Elijah  and  Ahab  .  .  . 

§  59.  Ahaziah — Jehorani. — Jezebel's  death 
§  60.  The  Prophet  Elisha     .... 
§  61.  The  Prophet  Jonah     .... 

.§  62.  Job  

§  63.  The  Destruction  of  the  Kingdom  of  Israel     The 

Prophets 105 

D.     The  Kings  of  JudaK 

§  64.  Rehoboam-Abijah-Asa-Jehoshaphat-Jehoram     109 

§  65.  The  Kings  of  Judah,  (cori^/nw66?)- Ahaziah- Je- 
hoash — Amaziah — Uzziah — Jotham — Ahaz- 
Hezekiah         .         .         .         .         .         .         112 

S  66.  The  Kings  of  Judah,  (ccm^enwe^;?)— Manasseh— 
Amon — ^Josiah — Jehoahaz — Jehoiakim — Je- 
hoiachin — Zedekiah         .  .         .         .         116 

§  67.  The  Prophets  Jeremiah  and  Ezekiel    •         •         119 

K     The  History  of  the  Israelites  during  and  after 
tlie  Babylonian  Captivity. 

§  68.  Daniel — Hannaiah — Mishael — Azariah  .         123 

§  69.  Tlie  Return  of  the  Jews  from  the  Babylonian 

^      •   "  125 

126 
127 
131 
13? 


Captivity 
§  70    Haggai  and  Zechariah          • 
I  71.  Estlier 

72.  Ezra  and  Nehemiah 

73.  Further  Events  in  the  History  of  the  Jews 


Appendix. 
A  Brief  Outline  of  the  Geography  of  Canaan        •         136 


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